Everyone seems to be the favorite of Joao Fonseca’s game! After Carlos Alcaraz, the 24-time Major winner Novak Djokovic also praised the young Brazilian and his abilities to play big points on the big stage without showing any fear!
Joao defeated world no. 9 Andrey Rublev 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 in his first Major match in Melbourne, catching the attention of the tennis world. Djokovic congratulated the young gun on his notable milestone and everything he has done in the last 12 months.
Novak likes how Joao deals with the big points, following the youngster’s progress and calling him a courageous all-around ball striker with a bright future!
Joao Fonseca clocking a *181 KM/H* forehand winner, the fastest of the Australian Open. 🚀
Sit back and enjoy. pic.twitter.com/fgY1Rf5eSE
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 14, 2025
The 18-year-old finished the 2024 season in the top-150. He competed at the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah as the youngest player and clinched five victories en route to a trophy. Joao continued at the beginning of 2025 and lifted a trophy at the Canberra Challenger.
He then qualified for the Australian Open main draw and became the fourth-youngest player since 1990 with a top-10 Major win! Fonseca did not fear the more experienced rival, going for his shots and firing 51 winners and 32 unforced errors.
Joao Fonseca, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Brazilian lost serve once and provided two breaks from ten opportunities. A teenager took charge in the mid-range exchanges and grabbed the pivotal points to seal the deal in straight sets. Joao saved a break point in the eighth game of the opening set.
They reached a tie break after four good holds, and a qualifier stepped in. He grabbed mini-breaks in the first and fourth point and forged the advantage. Joao landed a return winner at 6-1, bringing the opener home in style after 44 minutes.
The 18-year-old welcomed the rival’s double fault in the second game of the second set. He earned a break and denied a break chance three games later for 4-1. Fonseca forged a 5-2 lead with a hold at love.
Joao Fonseca & Andrey Rublev, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He cracked an ace at 5-3 to open two sets to love advantage in two hours and 21 minutes. Rublev clinched his only break in the fourth game of the third set. Instead of building on that, he fell on the fourth break point in the next one and brought the youngster back to the positive side.
Joao fired a mighty forehand in the eighth game and saved a break point. They embraced the second tie break, and the Brazilian landed a volley winner in the first point for a mini-break. He moved 4-0 up after the rival’s forehand error and closer to the top.
However, Fonseca lost two points on serve and brought Rublev to the positive side. The young gun stepped in at 5-5 and landed a backhand down the line winner for a match point. He converted it with a booming forehand down the line winner, moving over the top in style.
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 said.
Tennis World USA