Everybody appears to be the favourite of Joao Fonseca’s recreation! After Carlos Alcaraz, the 24-time Main winner Novak Djokovic additionally praised the younger Brazilian and his talents to play massive factors on the massive stage with out exhibiting any concern!
Joao defeated world no. 9 Andrey Rublev 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 in his first Main match in Melbourne, catching the eye of the tennis world. Djokovic congratulated the younger gun on his notable milestone and the whole lot he has accomplished within the final 12 months.
Novak likes how Joao offers with the massive factors, following the teen’s progress and calling him a brave all-around ball striker with a vibrant future!
Joao Fonseca clocking a *181 KM/H* forehand winner, the quickest of the Australian Open. 🚀
Sit again and luxuriate in. pic.twitter.com/fgY1Rf5eSE
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 14, 2025
The 18-year-old completed the 2024 season within the top-150. He competed on the Subsequent Gen Finals in Jeddah because the youngest participant and clinched 5 victories en path to a trophy. Joao continued at first of 2025 and lifted a trophy on the Canberra Challenger.
He then certified for the Australian Open primary draw and have become the fourth-youngest participant since 1990 with a top-10 Main win! Fonseca didn’t concern the extra skilled rival, going for his pictures and firing 51 winners and 32 unforced errors.
Joao Fonseca, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Brazilian misplaced serve as soon as and supplied two breaks from ten alternatives. An adolescent took cost within the mid-range exchanges and grabbed the pivotal factors to seal the deal in straight units. Joao saved a break level within the eighth recreation of the opening set.
They reached a tie break after 4 good holds, and a qualifier stepped in. He grabbed mini-breaks within the first and fourth level and solid the benefit. Joao landed a return winner at 6-1, bringing the opener residence in type after 44 minutes.
The 18-year-old welcomed the rival’s double fault within the second recreation of the second set. He earned a break and denied a break probability three video games later for 4-1. Fonseca solid a 5-2 lead with a maintain at love.
Joao Fonseca & Andrey Rublev, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He cracked an ace at 5-3 to open two units to like benefit in two hours and 21 minutes. Rublev clinched his solely break within the fourth recreation of the third set. As an alternative of constructing on that, he fell on the fourth break level within the subsequent one and introduced the teen again to the constructive facet.
Joao fired a mighty forehand within the eighth recreation and saved a break level. They embraced the second tie break, and the Brazilian landed a volley winner within the first level for a mini-break. He moved 4-0 up after the rival’s forehand error and nearer to the highest.
Nevertheless, Fonseca misplaced two factors on serve and introduced Rublev to the constructive facet. The younger gun stepped in at 5-5 and landed a backhand down the road winner for a match level. He transformed it with a booming forehand down the road winner, transferring excessive in type.
Joao Fonseca, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
“I congratulated Joao on his first-round win and everything he has been doing for the last 12 months. I have followed his rise and love how he deals with the big points. He is a courageous all-around player with clean hitting.
Brazil is huge, and having a good player from that country is important. Joao is the first player of that caliber since Guga Kuerten, and it’s impressive to see a young player competing so well on a big stage like him.
I’m a fan of his game as I see a young myself in how he carelessly goes for his shots. Joao got the goods and showed them against Andrey on a big stage. If he keeps going this way, the future is bright for him,” Novak Djokovic stated.
