Written by Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Photo credit: Hannah Peters/Getty
A “Q” next to his name is his signature This is Joao Fonseca’s place qualifying status for the Australian Open.
When the 18-year-old Brazilian player was on fire Andrei Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) in his first major match, the flame emoji seems better written.
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Hitting all areas of the court, Fonseca was on fire.
In a conference of former world junior players No. 1, Fonseca was not overwhelmed by Rublev’s power or his first match at the Margaret Court Arena.
“I knew the pressure was coming. Like I said, everything was new to me, but it wasn’t my favorite,” Fonseca told reporters in Melbourne. “I was trying to, like, just get on the court, OK, I’m an 18-year-old guy, he’s a top-10 guy. I’m going to do my best here. Yeah, I’m confident.
“I know I can win, but there’s no pressure on me. That’s what I was trying to do. However, when I had two years of love, I was thinking a little bit, OK, maybe I will win this match, and I need to focus, I need to keep pushing, yes, the emotions have come, but I stayed in my mind.
The Rio de Janeiro native earned his 14th straight win at all levels and his eighth consecutive Tour-level win.
The teenager who prepared for the AO Canberra title has won all 19 sets he has played in 2025, including winning three straight sets in qualifying for the Australian Open.
This continued success forces Fonseca to restructure his Melbourne career as he sees the potential. Fonseca will face Italy at the age of 29 Lorenzo Sonego to get a place in the third round of AO.
“I think when I came here, my first goal was to qualify for the big draw,” said Fonseca. “Yes, my expectations are high now. I want more. Yes, I’m very happy with the way I played today to win, but I’m thinking about the next game.
“It will be good if we face a great player. Yes, you want more. I think that’s the mentality of a champion. So I’m trying to think about the next game.”
Although he is listed at 6’1”, 162-pounds, Fonseca possesses an explosive burst on both wings and creates speed effectively. Facing the match’s top seed in Rublev, Fonseca fired 51 winners in three sets—18 more than the mighty Russian.
Fonseca is skilled with a big strike as he showed off smoking an ace down the T to serve up the second set at love. Because he is a shooter who is willing to reverse the directions of the circles playing down the lane from both wings, Fonseca is already amassing fans as a crowd pleaser.
Like teenagers Carlos AlcarazA young person engages fans naturally. Several times, Fonseca raised his arms after the winners to urge the Melbourne fans to make more noise.
“One third of the crowd was from Brazil, so it felt like I was at home, people were cheering me on, calling my name,” said Fonseca. “It was just amazing. I love playing with the crowd, so for me it was very good, very fun. “
How high is Fonseca’s ceiling?
ESPN analyst Darren Cahill, who has trained Jannik Sinner, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Simona Halep at the world level at number 1, said the AO champion in charge of Sinner, who has been training with young Brazilians, suggests that Fonseca may be in the Top 30 at the end of this season.
Fonseca executed a routine script to attack Rublev’s backhand wing that allowed him to rip through the Russian’s explosive forehand forcing him to defend the backhand on the run. At times, Fonseca laced repeated backhands down the line to the Russian’s forehand at times catching a flat-footed Rublev.
It was a clever strategy as Rublev preferred to hit his aggressive front into his back corner. Knowing that, Fonseca hit his backhand down the line to get Rublev moving.
Versatility is Fonseca’s strength. Not only did he blast backhands tonight, he hit sharp angles and confused Rublev at times with backhand drop shot winners.
Although his two hands are a formidable weapon, Fonseca grew up looking up to one-handed wizards—Roger Federer and Brazilian legend Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten.
“I mean, my idol has always been Roger. I grew up watching Roger,” said Fonseca. “Yes, I think everyone wanted to play like him. But I even tried, when I was young, using one hand.
“I tried, like, one week, and then I had something in my elbow, and then I forgot, I’m going to walk with both hands again. But, yes, [Roger] idol to me. You inspire me. Guga, of course, from Brazil, is not just an idol as a player, but as a person. You are a very nice person. I can meet him, and yes, I think these two idols are my idols. “
