JOAO FONSECA, A NEW STAR HAS ARRIVED

Joao Fonseca has been creating ripples for a year now, but on day three at Melbourne Park, he hit the tennis world like a tidal wave.

In his first main draw match at a major, the 18-year-old Brazilian stormed past world number nine Andrey Rublev in three blistering sets.

“It's just amazing, for me, what I did. My first win in a Grand Slam, my first win against a top-10 player,” Fonseca told the media.

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In what should have easily been an overwhelming moment - the biggest of his career to date - Fonseca remained comfortable and was rewarded with a sublime performance.

“I’m an 18-year-old guy, he's a top-10 guy. Of course, I'm confident. I know I can win, but no pressure on myself.

“I played such a good match. I'm very happy with myself, very proud of the way that I fought, and that I stayed mentally on every point.”

Fonseca barely blinked for the entire two-hour-twenty-three-minute encounter, and when he finally did at 1-2 in the third, the teenager responded instantly to bring the match back on his terms.

That resilience and self-confidence were among a plethora of positive traits on display, led by the 18-year-old's forehand power and overall aggressive game - generating 51 winners - which ultimately took the match away from Rublev.

And while he has held many of those traits for some time, the tennis world was far from familiar with Fonseca prior to tonight.

So, who is Joao Fonseca?

Born in Ipanema – just minutes from the Rio Open – Fonseca was playing tennis from the age of four and has been dominating ever since.

His tennis inspiration? A man who had eight Grand slam titles before Fonseca had been born.

“My idol always was always Roger. I grew up watching Roger. Of course, I think everyone wanted to play like him…he is an idol for me. He inspires me.”

The 18-year-old also notes compatriot Gustavo ‘Guga’ Kuerten as a major influence; someone from which he seeks to carry on Brazil’s tennis legacy.

“I love playing for my country. It's very nice to be doing some great things for us Brazilians.

“Everywhere I go, there are Brazilians cheering for me, and that's super nice.”

The current Brazilian No.3 is now the sole countryman left standing in the men’s draw; a sight that may have been foreseen by viewers of Fonseca in 2024.

Where has he been?

Fonseca first burst onto the tennis scene at his home event in Rio last February, scoring consecutive top 100 wins at a time when his ranking sat at No.655.

For those watching on the clay, it was clear the local had something special, but it’s still taken a full year to see it come to fruition.

The teenager spent most of 2024 at ATP Challenger level – winning his maiden title in July (Lexington) – and contested qualifying at Wimbledon and the US Open, exiting in the first and third rounds respectively.

So where has this form come from?

Fonseca gained significant momentum at the ATP Next Gen Finals in December and has not looked back.

After taking out fellow rising top-50 stars Arthur Fils and Jakub Mensik in Jeddah, the Brazilian rolled into Canberra and won his second Challenger title without dropping a set.

Entering qualifying at Melbourne Park as the most formidable force in the draw, Fonseca again picked up six consecutive sets to reach his first Grand Slam main draw.

But pitted against ninth-seeded Rublev, one may have thought the win streak or at minimum set streak would come to an end, and yet both have continued to grow.

How far could he go?

It feels like the sky is already the limit for Fonseca, who has swiftly risen to become the seventh favourite to win the men’s draw, just ahead of Aussie No.1 Alex de Minaur.

He will face Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the second round, where form would suggest the teenager will again have the upper hand.

Although dangerous to look further, the Brazilian could be set for an entertaining showdown with Frances Tiafoe in round three, and possibly, a second-week clash with Daniil Medvedev.

We’ll have to wait and see how much damage Fonseca can do, but one thing’s for sure: he’s box-office viewing and a must-watch for the rest of his Australian Open campaign — and beyond.

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