Author: Richard Pagliaro @Nowtennis | Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Photo credit: Hannah Peters/Getty
The “Q” next to his name means Joao Fonseca’s Qualification for this Australian Open qualifier.
When the 18-year-old Brazilian broke through to the ninth seed Andrei Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) The fire emoji seemed better on brand in his major main draw debut.
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Fonseca displayed pure firepower as he attacked from all areas of the pitch.
In a clash of former teenage world number one players, Fonseca was not fazed by Rublev’s power or his debut at the Margaret Court Arena.
“I know the pressure is coming. Like I said, everything is new for me, but for me, I’m not the most popular,” Fonseca told media in Melbourne. “I try to go on the court and just say, OK, I’m an 18-year-old guy who’s a top-10 player. I’m going to do my best here. Of course, I’m confident.
“I knew I could win, but there was no pressure on myself. That’s what I wanted to do. But, of course, when I was loving two sets, I thought more, OK, maybe I’ll win this match , I needed to focus, I needed to keep pushing, and yes, of course the nerves came, but mentally I held on.
The red-hot Rio de Janeiro native notched his 14th straight victory at all levels and his eighth straight at Tour level.
The teenager, who is warming up to Australia’s Canberra title win, has swept all 19 sets he has played in 2025, including a straight-sets victory in Australian Open qualifying.
This continued success forced Fonseca to recalibrate his mission in Melbourne as he realized what was possible. Fonseca will take on the 29-year-old Italian Lorenzo Sonego Compete for a spot in the third round of AO.
“I think when I came here, my first goal was to qualify for the main draw,” Fonseca said. “Of course, my expectations are bigger now. I want more and more. Of course, I’m very satisfied with today’s winning performance, but I’m already thinking about the next game.
“It’s going to be a good game against a very good player. Yeah, wanting more and more. I guess that’s the mentality of a champion. So I just want to think about the next game.
Although Fonseca is 6-foot-1 and 162 pounds, he possesses explosiveness on both wings and is able to effectively create off-speed offense. Facing one of Rublev’s biggest forehands of the match, Fonseca hit 51 winners in three sets, 18 more than the powerful Russian.
Fonseca, who has a gift for big shots, hit an ace on the tee to win the second set with love. Because Fonseca is a shooter willing to reverse the direction of the offense on both wings, he has become a likeable player who has attracted a following.
just like young people Carlos Alcarazthe teenager naturally attracts fans. Fonseca waved his arms several times after his win, admonishing Melbourne fans to make loud noises.
“A third of the audience was Brazilian, so I really felt like I was at home, people were cheering me and calling my name,” Fonseca said. “It’s awesome. I love playing with crowds, so for me this is super, really good.
Fonseca flipped the standard playbook of attacking the flank of Rublev’s backhand and instead boldly countered the Russian’s explosive forehand, forcing him to defend the backhand on the run. Fonseca caught Rublev off guard at times as he repeatedly attacked the Russian’s forehand with his backhand from the baseline.
This was a shrewd tactical plan, as Rublev preferred to hit a ferocious forehand from the bottom corner of his backhand. Fonseca knew this and used his backhand to hit the baseline, forcing Rublev to move.
Versatility is Fonseca’s strength. Tonight he not only hit the backhand, he hit some sharp angles and at times confused Rublev with a backhand lob winner.
Although his hands are a magical weapon, Fonseca grew up idolizing a pair of iconic one-handed wizards –roger federer and brazilian legend Gustavo “Guga” Kurten.
“I mean, my idol was always Roger. I grew up watching Roger,” Fonseca said. “Of course, I think everyone wants to play like him. But when I was younger, I even tried it with one hand.
“I tried it for about a week and then I got something on my elbow and then I forgot and I had to use two hands again. But yeah, [Roger] An idol to me. He inspires me. Guga, of course, is a Brazilian. He is not only an idol for players, but also a person. He is a very nice person. I can meet him and yeah, I think both of those guys are my idols.
