Federer, Kuerten, laser forehand… 5 things to know about Joao Fonseca, the new phenomenon of world tennis

The good fairies leaned over his cradle. Joao Fonseca has, for many months, been heralded as a phenomenon. Winner of the Next Gen Finals in December in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian passed the qualifiers in Melbourne without a hitch before launching into his first Grand Slam tournament with the enthusiasm and carefreeness of his 18th birthday.

Scheduled to close the program, this Tuesday, on a large court (Margaret Court), he felt the expectation, the curiosity, the desire rise before letting his arm deliver the winning shots (51). And to dazzle. Winner 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) of the Russian Andrey Rublev (seeded n°9), the young Brazilian offered himself his first Grand Slam success and his first victory against a Top 10. At 2^e round of the Australian Open, the Brazilian will face the Italian Lorenzo Sonego (55^e global). Fonseca, a name to remember.

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Discovery of a player whose brilliant arrival can recall Roger Federer revealing himself brilliantly at Wimbledon 2001 (notably winner of Pete Sampras), Rafael Nadal in Miami in 2004 (he dominated Federer) or Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open 2021 ( notably winner of Stefanos Tsitsipas).

Fan de “Guga”, Federer and Nadal

Its equipment supplier is Onof which Roger Federer is a shareholder. It’s not surprising to hear the Brazilian place the Swiss very high (and that his dream is to win Wimbledon) when he talks about his role models: “My idol has always been Roger (Federer). I grew up watching Roger. Of course, I think everyone wanted to play like him. I even tried the one-handed backhand when I was younger. For a week I had pain in my elbow, and then I forgot about it. I started playing with two hands again. He’s an idol, he inspires me. And Guga (Gustavo Kuerten, former world No. 1, winner of Roland-Garros in 1997, 2000 and 2001), of course, is not only my idol as a player, but also as a person. He’s such a nice person. I was able to meet him. » In 2014, Joao Fonseca devoured Rafael Nadal on the track in Rio de Janeiro, a site ten minutes from his home, a place where he practiced on clay courts. To this list of players who have inspired him, the Brazilian likes to add: “Today I turn to Sinner and Alcaraz. They are very young and have immense talent. »

A family of sportsmen

“Sport runs in our veins”assures his mother Roberta about her son, a talented jack of all trades immersed in a family of athletes. “Her mother flirted with professional volleyball. She and her husband, who competed in junior tennis in Brazil when he was a teenager, have run half marathons and competed in bicycle races. Joao played just about everything that was thrown at him: football, volleyball, swimming, judo, surfing, skateboarding and tennis. Teixeira (his current coach) detected his potential as a tennis player when he first saw him at the age of 11”retraces the New York Times.

Lightning in the right arm

His forehand is violent, aesthetic, and extremely effective. Andrey Rublev watched him pass several times. Stunned. By the effect, the speed. The Brazilian signed the fastest forehand of the 1^is lap in Melbourne: 181 km/ (ahead of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 180 km/h and Carlos Alcaraz 178 km/h). A formidable weapon called to do damage.

A meteoric rise

Titled at the US Open juniors in 2023, Joao Fonseca was, that year, invited to the Masters as a sparring partner. He had hit with Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner. In 2024, the Brazilian quickly made his mark on the professional circuit (quarter-finalist in Rio de Janeiro after beating Arthur Fils and Christian Garin, winner of the Challenger tournament in Lexington). At 18, he registered as the second youngest player since 1973 to beat a Top 10 opponent in his first match in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament. The precedent being Mario Ancic who dominated Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2002. 730^e in the ATP rankings in January 2024, Joao Fonseca finished the year in the Top 150 (145^e). Winner of his last 14 matches (at all levels), he will enter the Top 100 in the next ranking. Solid serve, power from the baseline, shy, he looks like… Jannik Sinner.

Ready to shine in the Davis Cup

Joao Fonseca will (normally) be on the menu for the Blues during the 1^is Davis Cup round (1^is and February 2 in Orléans). The team (Arthur Fils, Ugo Humbert, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Pierre-Hughes Herbert) composed by Paul-Henri Mathieu will have to be wary of this young talent who is not afraid. He has already played 3 times for the Brazil team (2 wins; 1 loss).