Interview: Fearless Fonseca dreaming of Djokovic duel

If you haven't seen the 18-year-old play yet, where have you been? The Rio born and bred Brazilian has an astonishing shot repertoire, packing plenty of power and electric movement. There is no holding back - he sprints, he twists and he goes full throttle. Wherever he plays, Fonseca draws in the crowd, he's magnetic to watch.

Rewind to the 2022 Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault in Rio and a local prodigy was about to ignite his tennis journey.

"I was at my club, there was a lot of pressure. It was the first time I played with a lot of crowd," recalled Joao Fonseca, who as a result won a wildcard into the Roland-Garros 2022 Junior tournament.

"This tournament was super important for me and my development. When I won and then got to go play at Roland-Garros (juniors), it was just a dream come true, to play a Grand Slam. It was super, super special."

"I won a couple matches and lost to the eventual winner (Gabriel) Debru, it was super nice. That was the start of Joao, that was the start of me believing I could do great things."

The teenager, speaking exclusively to Roland-Garros.com, cherished every moment competing in the junior fields in 2022 and 2023 in Paris.

"It was amazing. Even the clay is different. We don't even have that type of clay in Rio, more in the south of Brazil, which is much more thin. It was all super special," stated Fonseca.

"I remember my coach, we went with a little cup and we just got a little bit of the clay. He's got it on his shelf in his office at the club.

"It was the first time I saw some amazing tennis players in the player's lounge or on the next practice courts. I saw (Novak) Djokovic, I saw (Andrey) Rublev, it was an amazing experience.

"I can't wait to be there this year for the first time in the pros."

From growing up next to the Rio de Janeiro Country Club, to competing at Roland-Garros, it's a 'pinch me' moment for the 18-year-old. Fonseca will be anything but daunted by the prospect, this teenager is unfazed by any stage, any occasion.

The world No.65 could land a blockbuster name in the draw and he'd be delighted.

"When we start these biggest tournaments, the Grand Slams, the 'qualies', I always tell my coach: 'If I go to the main draw, I want to play Djokovic,' because it's probably one of the last times. I hope I can play him," declared Fonseca.

"I'd love to face Djokovic first, second round. I'd try to play my best tennis, the result wouldn't matter, I'd just enjoy it.

"I like to play the top seeds, I like the challenge. I play with no pressure, so I think I can play well there. I like to play with the crowd also, so it's an experience I want to have. Some players will want to play 'easier' first, but I want to play the iconic ones."

Into just his second full season as a professional, Fonseca's highlights already include US Open Boys' glory (2023), securing his first ATP Tour-level victory on home courts at the Rio Open (2024) with a 6-0, 6-4 over Arthur Fils en route to the quarter-finals. NextGen Finals silverware curtailed his 2024 campaign and Fonseca burst into the worldwide conversation by qualifying for the Australian Open and dispatching No.9 seed Rublev in straight sets. On top of that, Fonseca has already lifted a maiden ATP title in Buenos Aires back in February.

Just how? It's just Joao.

"It might sound a bit cocky, but I have a great maturity. For my age, my coach and parents say I understand things, can learn very quickly," stated Fonseca, explaining his seismic rise.

"So for example, I learned very quickly how to transfer from the juniors to the pros, you need much more consistency, you need way more work physically, you need to work even harder.

"When I decided to go pro and not to college (after the 2024 Rio Open), I knew this was going to be my job for 20 years. I need to be responsible, earn the money for my life, so my maturity is a big difference for me and it explains why success has come faster."

What is striking watching Fonseca compete is how he grabs a crowd with his bold play and human highlight reel shotmaking. The gasps, the chanting, the carnival in the stands transfers to the court too.

"They give me energy. Maybe it's because I play pretty aggressive and I go for the winners that crowds like me," added Fonseca.
"You can't just pass the ball on important points. I have courage on important points, play on instinct, you need to do that. I'm fearless."

Not since former world No.1 and three-time Roland-Garros champion (1997, 2000, 2001) Gustavo Kuerten, has Brazilian men's tennis had such excitement.

Alongside a certain Roger Federer, Kuerten is an idol for the teenage protégé.

"His outfit was iconic. The yellow and blue look was so good," said Fonseca, who first met the Brazilian hero as a very young kid playing the 'Copa Guga Kuerten', before reconnecting on Davis Cup duty last February.

"People say: 'you're the next 'Guga', you're going to win titles at Roland-Garros'. It's great that people believe that, but at the same time that is pressure, I don't need it. I just need to be left to be me, to make my own story.

"It’s amazing what 'Guga' achieved and I hope I could do half of what he did."

Fonseca kindly spoke to Roland-Garros.com at the tail end of his first break of the season, following his title run in Buenos Aires and an engaging third-round stint at the Miami Open. The Joao team is wary of pacing his path his season.

"I started back at the NextGen Finals. So we've played a lot of matches this year, it was the time to rest a little bit. When you achieve great things, you go straight to another tournament and you don't get a chance to think," continued the world No.65.

"This break I thought a little bit more, of what I did, what this meant for my country, for me, what great things I can achieve. So it was a time to reflect.

"It was really nice to appreciate those results, but of course I want to keep working more and more to achieve better and better things."

The milestone moments keep coming, the ambition to become a major player is burning bright.

"I'm rising fast. One of the goals I want to get to a third round of a Grand Slam. Maybe it can be at Roland-Garros? I play well on clay, was born on clay, grew up on clay, I feel confident," said the 18-year-old.

"My goal for the future is to be No.1, that's the dream, but I know it's a long way to go. I have to work even harder, go step by step.

"I need to get more experiences, like this. Roland-Garros will be my first direct entry into a Grand Slam. This all helps me develop, to evolve, alongside putting in the necessary work. I think that's the way of achieving the highest goals."