By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday March 25, 2025
In a whirlwind three months, 18-year-old sensation Joao Fonseca has gained his first match at a serious, made his High 100 debut, claimed his first ATP title, and performed his first sunshine double.
All of the whereas the Brazilian has achieved it underneath the white-hot highlight of a tennis-crazed nation that believes he simply could be their subsequent Guga.
Not a simple process to say the least, however Fonseca has carried out admirably, and in these final three months demonstrated the kind of game-changing expertise that he will be.
He’s slated to rise to a career-high rating of No.58 within the ATP rankings on Monday, and will go a lot larger this 12 months, with not a number of rating factors to defend.
Anticipate him to be ranked a lot larger – and to be carrying much more expertise underneath his belt – when he returns to Miami subsequent 12 months.
For now, Fonseca can bask within the realization that he has a house away from residence in South Florida ready for him. He was adored by followers, lots of whom made the trek all the best way from Brazil to see him play, and created an environment that was frenzied and electrical contained in the Onerous Rock Stadium in Miami.
“First impression right here is that I actually felt like I used to be in Brazil,” he stated after being eradicated within the third spherical by Alex de Minaur. “I imply, not solely the gang, however the group handled me like I used to be in Brazil. So it was tremendous cool. I actually just like the event. Most likely one among my favourite tournaments now.
“I knew it was going to be crowded, however I did not realize it was going to be large.”
“I simply needed to entertain…I used to be simply vibing”
Joao Fonseca on how the ambiance motivated him
#MiamiOpen
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 25, 2025
Fonseca additionally received to play some huge matches on an enormous stage, towards the likes of High 20 abilities Ugo Humbert and De Minaur.
“Taking part in with the highest gamers, you sort of know the place your stage is,” he stated. “I actually see that I am the suitable manner, I am on the suitable path, taking part in some good matches towards prime gamers. That’s the place I wish to be.”
Clay Comes Subsequent
Now it’s on to the clay and a complete new set of experiences for Fonseca. He already proved himself on the floor by profitable the Buenos Aires title, so it shouldn’t be too troublesome for him.
“Every little thing is new. I must get used to the whole lot,” he stated. “It will be my first time taking part in these tournaments in Europe. I really performed the Madrid Open final 12 months… it may be new experiences. I must adapt, in fact. After all I will play my tennis – the aggressive tennis that you just guys know. Now on clay. It will be good. It will be an amazing expertise.”
Requested if his tennis profession is popping out the best way he had imagined, Fonseca admitted that his success has come a bit simpler than anticipated, however on no account does that imply that he isn’t being pushed to his limits on the dog-eat-dog ATP Tour.
“Once you see on the tv the tour, you see the highest gamers simply having fun with, profitable all of the matches,” he stated. “Nevertheless it’s not like that. that there is a course of, futures, challengers, then it’s good to cross the barrier from prime 100. It is a lengthy strategy to being right here within the prime tournaments.
“Once I was younger watching on the TV, I used to be like, I wish to be there. It will be straightforward to go there. However no, it is a great distance. Happily I handed this in a quick manner, performing some nice tournaments and getting in these tournaments now.”
