By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Photo credit: Hannah Peters/Getty
The “Q” next to his name signaled Joao Fonseca’s qualifier status in this Australian Open.
By the time the 18-year-old Brazilian blazed past ninth-seeded Andrey Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) in his major main-draw debut, a flame emoji seemed better branding.
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Striking from all areas of the court, Fonseca was pure fire.
In a clash of former junior world No. 1 players, Fonseca was not fazed by Rublev’s power or his debut on Margaret Court Arena.
“I knew the pressure was coming. Like I said, everything was new for me, but for me, I was not the favorite,” Fonseca told the media in Melbourne. “I was trying to, like, enter the court with just, Okay, I’m an 18-year-old guy, he’s a top-10 guy. I’m going to do my best here. Of course, I’m confident.
“I know I can win, but no pressure on myself. That’s what I was trying to do. But, of course, when I was two sets to love, I was thinking a little bit more, Okay, maybe I’m going to win this match, and I need to focus, need to keep pushing. Yeah, the nerves, of course, came, but I mentally stayed.”
The red-hot Rio de janeiro native scored his 14th consecutive win across all levels and his eighth straight Tour-level win.
The teenager who warmed up for the AO winning the Canberra title has swept all 19 sets he’s played in 2025, including three straight-sets wins in Australian Open qualifying.
This sustained success is compelling Fonseca to recalibrate his Melbourne mission as he realizes just what may be possible. Fonseca will face 29-year-old Italian Lorenzo Sonego for a spot in the AO third round.
“I think when I arrived 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 happy with the way that I played today with the win, but I already think about the next match.
“It’s going to be a good one against a very great player. Yeah, want more and more. I think that’s the mentality of the champion. So I’m just trying to think about the next match.”
Though he’s listed at 6’1”, 162-pounds, Fonseca owns elastic explosiveness off both wings and creates off pace effectively. Facing one of the game’s biggest forehands in Rublev, Fonseca fired 51 winners in three sets—18 more than the powerful Russian.
Fonseca has a flair for the big strike as he showed smoking an ace down the T to serve out the second set at love. Because he’s a shotmaker willing to reverse directions of rallies playing down the line off both wings, Fonseca is already amassing a following as a crowd-pleasing player.
Like the young Carlos Alcaraz, the teenager engages fans naturally. Several times, Fonseca waved his arms after winners exhorting Melbourne fans to make more noise.
“One-third of the crowd was Brazilian, so it really felt like I was at home, people cheering for me, calling my name,” Fonseca said. “It was just amazing. I love playing with the crowd, so for me it was super, super nice.”
How high is Fonseca’s ceiling?
ESPN analyst Darren Cahill, who has coached Jannik Sinner, Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Simona Halep to the world No. 1 ranking, said reigning AO champion Sinner, who has practiced with the Brazilian teenager, suggests Fonseca could be Top 30 by the end of this season.
Fonseca flipped the standard script of attacking Rublev’s backhand wing in favor of boldly ripping right at the Russian’s explosive forehand forcing him to defend the backhand on the run. At times, Fonseca bolted repeated backhands down the line to the Russian’s forehand sometimes catching Rublev flat-footed.
It was a shrewd tactical plan as Rublev prefers hitting his fierce forehand from his backhand corner. Knowing it, Fonseca battered his backhand down the line to make Rublev move.
Versatility is a Fonseca strength. He didn’t just blast backhands tonight, he hit some sharp angles and befuddled Rublev at times with backhand drop shot winners.
Though his two hander is a wonder weapon, Fonseca grew up looking up to a pair of iconic one-handed wizards—Roger Federer and Brazilian legend Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten.
“I mean, my idol always was always Roger. I grew up watching Roger,” Fonseca said. “Of course, I think everyone wanted to play like him. But I even tried, when I was younger, the one-handed.
“I tried for, like, one week, and then I have something in my elbow, and then I forgot, I’m going to go two-handed again. But, yeah, [Roger] is an idol for me. He inspires me.
“Guga, of course, the Brazilian one, he’s not only idol as a player, but as a person. He’s such a nice person. I could meet him, and yeah, I think those two are my idols.”
