MELBOURNE, Australia — In an impressive display of talent, João Fonseca made a significant impression in the men’s tennis scene by defeating the ninth-seeded Andrey Rublev 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5) during the opening round of the Australian Open on Tuesday night.
The 18-year-old Brazilian, currently ranked 112th in the world, showcased his skills in what was an exciting debut at a Grand Slam tournament. Fonseca earned his place in the main draw at Melbourne Park after triumphing in three qualifying matches the previous week.
The match lasted just under two and a half hours, extending Fonseca’s impressive winning streak to 14 matches, which included securing the title at the Next Gen ATP Finals for top players aged under 21 last month in Saudi Arabia, as well as winning a Challenger tournament in Canberra earlier this month.
Those in the tennis world have been keeping an eye on Fonseca since he claimed the title at the 2023 U.S. Open junior boys’ competition, where his powerful serve, explosive groundstrokes, and calm composure captured attention. These attributes were vividly displayed during his match against Rublev in the Margaret Court Arena, the second-largest venue in Melbourne.
Fonseca reached match point with a stunning backhand winner that he celebrated by raising his index finger in a “No. 1” gesture, followed by his signature down-the-line forehand that clinched the match, prompting him to spread his arms wide and toss his head back in joy.
“Not bad,” were his first remarks during the post-match on-court interview, drawing smiles and laughter from the audience, many of whom were waving the Brazilian flag in support.
“I just enjoyed every moment on this court, this amazing court,” he added, expressing his excitement about playing on such a grand stage for the first time.
With serves reaching up to 133 mph (214 kph), Fonseca recorded 14 aces and faced only one double fault, while successfully saving five out of the six break points he encountered during the match.
His total of 51 winners surpassed Rublev’s by 18, notably impressive considering that Rublev has reached the quarterfinals in Melbourne for three of the last four years and was Fonseca’s first opponent ranked higher than No. 20.
“I was just focusing on my game, trying not to feel any pressure playing against a top-10 guy,” Fonseca shared. “I was just playing my game, and now we’re in the second round.”
In the upcoming round, Fonseca will face Lorenzo Sonego, currently ranked 55th, who defeated three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in four sets earlier on Tuesday.
When reflecting on the key to his success in the tiebreakers against the seasoned Rublev, Fonseca remarked that it was all about applying “intensity in crucial points,” taking chances with his shots, and exhibiting “courage.”
He also mentioned 20-time major champion Roger Federer as a source of inspiration, citing Federer’s belief that “Talent is not enough,” and emphasized the importance of hard work that only he and his team could fully appreciate.
With such promising talent and dedication, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Fonseca’s journey unfolds in this year’s Australian Open.
