A phenomenon will probably burst onto the screen in 2025. Andrey Rublev was his first renowned victim, this Tuesday in the first round of theAustralian Open. The Russian was picked up by a certain Joao Fonseca. 113th in the world. The native of Rio, best player under 19 in the ATP rankings, had thirteen victories in a row and won the fourteenth in style, 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5). The Brazilian is amazing. He inflicted 14 aces and above all 51 winning shots on a Rublev frustrated and unable to get back on track. The 18-year-old played his first Grand Slam match and capsized his first Top 10. He is the second player to debut in a Grand Slam by torpedoing a Top 10. Mario Ancic achieved this feat in 2002 by beating Roger Federer. The phenomenon Fonseca will rub against Lorenzo Sonego in the second round on Thursday.
Video – Joao Fonseca reveals himself at the 2025 Australian Open
Find the men’s draw for the Australian Open here
Find the women’s draw for the Australian Open here
“Everything is new to me”
“I checked my phone while I was in the ice bath and there were a lot of messages, so I left it. I tried to message my family, my loved ones. I stayed cold in the bath, but what I did is incredible My first Grand Slam victory, my first victory against a Top 10 player, my first participation in the main draw of a Grand Slam Everything is new for. I played a very good match. very happy with myself, very proud of the way I fought, the way I stayed mentally focused in every game, on every point”, declared the Brazilian at a press conference.
“I knew I could beat him, but I didn’t feel any pressure”
He then continued. “I knew I had a lot of pressure. Everything was new to me, but I wasn’t the favorite. I entered the field with the mentality: ‘I’m a young man of 18, this is a Top 10 player.” I tried to do my best. I knew I could beat him, but I didn’t feel any pressure. When I led 2 sets at love, I started to think. a little more to the possibility of winning the match, to stay focused. The nerves kicked in, but I stayed mentally strong.”
“Roger has always been my idol”
For those who don’t yet know the young man, Joao Fonseca has good models. “Roger (Federer) has always been my idol, I grew up watching him. I think everyone wanted to play like him, I even tried the one-handed backhand when I was young for a week, but I injured my elbow and gave up. He inspires me. Guga (Gustavo Kuerten) too. He is not only my idol as a player, but also as a person.”
