By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Picture credit score: Hannah Peters/Getty
The “Q” subsequent to his title signalled Joao Fonseca’s qualifier standing on this Australian Open.
By the point the 18-year-old Brazilian blazed previous ninth-seeded Andrey Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) in his main main-draw debut, a flame emoji appeared higher branding.
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Putting from all areas of the court docket, Fonseca was pure fireplace.
In a conflict of former junior world No. 1 gamers, Fonseca was not fazed by Rublev’s energy or his debut on Margaret Courtroom Area.
“I knew the strain was coming. Like I stated, every part was new for me, however for me, I used to be not the favourite,” Fonseca advised the media in Melbourne. “I used to be making an attempt to, like, enter the court docket with simply, Okay, I am an 18-year-old man, he is a top-10 man. I will do my greatest right here. In fact, I am assured.
“I do know I can win, however no strain on myself. That is what I used to be making an attempt to do. However, in fact, once I was two units to like, I used to be pondering somewhat bit extra, Okay, perhaps I will win this match, and I have to focus, have to preserve pushing. Yeah, the nerves, in fact, got here, however I mentally stayed.”
The red-hot Rio de janeiro native scored his 14th consecutive win throughout all ranges and his eighth straight Tour-level win.
{The teenager} who warmed up for the AO successful the Canberra title has swept all 19 units he’s performed in 2025, together with three straight-sets wins in Australian Open qualifying.
This sustained success is compelling Fonseca to recalibrate his Melbourne mission as he realizes simply what could also be attainable. Fonseca will face 29-year-old Italian Lorenzo Sonego for a spot within the AO third spherical.
“I feel once I arrived right here, my first aim was to qualify for the primary draw,” Fonseca stated. “In fact, my expectations are greater now. I would like increasingly more. In fact, I am very proud of the best way that I performed at this time with the win, however I already take into consideration the following match.
“It’ll be one in opposition to a really nice participant. Yeah, need increasingly more. I feel that is the mentality of the champion. So I am simply making an attempt to consider the following match.”
Although he’s listed at 6’1”, 162-pounds, Fonseca owns elastic explosiveness off each wings and creates off tempo successfully. Dealing with one of many sport’s largest forehands in Rublev, Fonseca fired 51 winners in three units—18 greater than the highly effective Russian.
Fonseca has a aptitude for the massive strike as he confirmed smoking an ace down the T to serve out the second set at love. As a result of he’s a shotmaker keen to reverse instructions of rallies taking part in down the road off each wings, Fonseca is already amassing a following as a crowd-pleasing participant.
Just like the younger Carlos Alcaraz, {the teenager} engages followers naturally. A number of occasions, Fonseca waved his arms after winners exhorting Melbourne followers to make extra noise.
“One-third of the gang was Brazilian, so it actually felt like I used to be at dwelling, individuals cheering for me, calling my title,” Fonseca stated. “It was simply wonderful. I like taking part in with the gang, so for me it was tremendous, tremendous good.”
Fonseca flipped the usual script of attacking Rublev’s backhand wing in favor of boldly ripping proper on the Russian’s explosive forehand forcing him to defend the backhand on the run. At occasions, Fonseca bolted repeated backhands down the road to the Russian’s forehand generally catching Rublev flat-footed.
It was a shrewd tactical plan as Rublev prefers hitting his fierce forehand from his backhand nook. Realizing it, Fonseca battered his backhand down the road to make Rublev transfer.
Versatility is a Fonseca power. He didn’t simply blast backhands tonight, he hit some sharp angles and befuddled Rublev at occasions with backhand drop shot winners.
Although his two hander is a marvel weapon, Fonseca grew up wanting as much as a pair of iconic one-handed wizards—Roger Federer and Brazilian legend Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten.
“I imply, my idol at all times was at all times Roger. I grew up watching Roger,” Fonseca stated. “In fact, I feel everybody needed to play like him. However I even tried, once I was youthful, the one-handed.
“I attempted for, like, one week, after which I’ve one thing in my elbow, after which I forgot, I will go two-handed once more. However, yeah, [Roger] is an idol for me. He evokes me. Guga, in fact, the Brazilian one, he isn’t solely idol as a participant, however as an individual. He is such a pleasant individual. I may meet him, and yeah, I feel these two are my idols.”
