Surprise at the Australian Open! World number 1 Novak Djokovic impressed by young João Fonseca after his feat against Rublev. Discover a champion’s unexpected praise for a prodigy in the making…
The Tennis world is in turmoil after the resounding feat of young Brazilian prodigy João Fonseca at the Australian Open. At just 18 years old, for his first match in the main draw of a Grand Slam, he achieved the feat of beating world number 5 Andrey Rublev. A resounding start which did not fail to impress the current world number 1, Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic praises Fonseca’s flamboyant game
Just a few minutes after his own qualification for the 3rd round, the Serbian was full of praise for the young Brazilian whom he had just met for the first time. “I congratulated him not only for his victory, but for everything he has done over the last six to 12 months,” Djokovic said at a press conference.
The world number 1 was particularly admiring of Fonseca’s offensive and spectacular play:
I love the way he plays big points. He is courageous, he hits very cleanly, he is a complete player.
Novak Djokovic
The Brazilian “Next Gen”
For Djokovic, the meteoric rise of João Fonseca marks the emergence of a new golden generation of Brazilian tennis. He hailed “an exciting time for Brazil, but also for the entire tennis world” and said he was “impressed that such a young player is capable of playing so well in a major tournament”.
The Serbian even sees similarities with his own beginnings on the circuit:
In one of my interviews for the ATP, I said that I saw a little of my game in his, especially when I was his age.
Novak Djokovic
The carefreeness of youth as an asset
At 18, João Fonseca exudes a freshness and audacity that have not escaped Djokovic. The Brazilian plays “a little carefree in his shots, wanting to show just what [il est] capable”, analyzes the world number 1, who himself remembers this period when “you are a little careless in your shots, wanting to show just what you are capable of. »
This youthful carefree attitude, coupled with undeniable talent, could well propel João Fonseca to the heights of world tennis in the years to come, as it did for Novak Djokovic in his time. The Serbian, record holder for the number of weeks spent at number 1 and winner of 17 Grand Slam titles, knows what he is talking about.
A duel of generations in perspective?
Djokovic’s praise of Fonseca already raises a question: will we soon see a duel between master and student, between the experienced world number 1 and the young Brazilian prodigy? Tennis fans are salivating in advance at the idea of this clash of generations and styles on the court.
But before that, João Fonseca will have to confirm the immense hopes placed in him. His first full-scale test will be his next match, in the 3rd round of the Australian Open. There is no doubt that his future opponents, first and foremost Novak Djokovic, will follow his performances with the greatest attention.
A new chapter in the history of tennis is perhaps being written before our eyes, with the emergence of a Brazilian talent destined to shake up the world hierarchy. Like a certain Gustavo Kuerten in his time, three times winner at Roland-Garros and world number 1 in 2000. The next generation is assured, and it promises to be exciting.
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