Joao Fonseca still adjusting to tour life: ‘Everything is new for me’
Joao Fonseca has stated that he is still getting used to life on the professional ATP tour, admitting that ‘everything is new’ for the young Brazilian.
Fonseca had a dramatic Indian Wells debut, fighting through both the wind and Jacob Fearnley to claim a deciding-set victory – winning the last five games.
In doing so, he became the third South American teenager to win at least one Masters 1000 match on multiple surfaces (in addition to Marcelo Rios and Guillermo Coria) – having claimed a victory in Madrid in 2024.
“It’s a pleasure being here on centre court at Indian Wells. It’s a dream,” said Fonseca.
“People call it the fifth Grand Slam, and I can understand why. It’s literally a paradise. So I am really grateful. Today was pretty difficult, very windy, and I got through so I’m very happy.
“Everywhere I go there are some Brazilians watching and cheering for me.”
The young superstar turned professional in February 2024, and admitted – despite his success – that he isn’t fully adapted to life as an elite tennis player.
“Everything is new for me,” he said, after his first-round victory.
“I’m still young and I’m still kind of getting used to this. seeing people, and not only Brazilians but from all over the world, cheering for me and calling my name, just wanting autographs, kids.
“Two years ago it was me asking for the autographs. It’s just very nice to see those kids and people watching for me.
“It’s my first time here, my second year as a professional. I’m getting to the better tournaments. So just seeing those different tournaments and seeing the top players.”
Fonseca made history in Buenos Aires earlier in 2025 where he became the seventh youngest ATP title winner in history (since 1990) and the youngest South American to do so.
The Brazilian has won 15 out of his last 18 matches, including a straight set win over Andrey Rublev at the 2025 Australian Open which sparked international discussion.
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“I just met Carlos before my match, and I asked in Spanish – hey, how you doing?” the 18-year-old superstar said.
“With Novak, I was just leaving the court that I practised on after my match as he was entering. He asked if I won. I said I won. Then he just congratulated me.
“It was just super cool that he was talking to me. So seeing those guys, just like, okay, it’s just like an hour there, so it’s super cool. Everything is super cool.
“Sometimes it comes a pressure, it’s normal people talking about you, of course going to be the pressure, ‘Joao needs to win this match because he wants (a big) tournament’.
“It will come, and you need to be prepared for it. You just need to focus on what you need to do, and win matches, and focusing with your team on the routines.”
Fonseca will face the in-form Jack Draper in the second-round at Indian Wells, with the pair having never met.
