Novak Djokovic hails ‘superstar’ Joao Fonseca, ahead of Indian Wells campaign
Novak Djokovic has praised Joao Fonseca as a future ‘superstar’ of the sport, ahead of the Serb’s opening match at Indian Wells.
The Brazilian – who is just 18 years old – claimed the title at the Next Gen Finals, before claiming his first ATP career title in Buenos Aires.
Fonseca claimed his first victory at Indian Wells, where he came back from a break down in the deciding set by winning the last five games of the match against Brit Jacob Fearnley, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.
“He seems to be handling it all very well,” said Djokovic about the youngster.
“I mean, I don’t know him personally so well, but from what I have seen on the court, not only the way he plays but the way he behaves, and people around him, seems like there is a very good level of balance and professionalism and devotion, like what we have seen for the last couple years with Alcaraz.
“He has the potential to be really a superstar of this game. No doubt about it. Coming from Brazil also, one of the biggest countries in the world, where they love tennis, love sports, very passionate people.
“It would be amazing for also our sport to have a Brazilian superstar, first really big superstar since Gustavo ‘Guga’ Kuerten, that was an idol of so many kids, incredible guy and big champion. Yeah, I wish him all the best.”
Regardless of whether Fonseca reaches the likes of Kuerten’s accomplishments, the 18-year-old sensation has already made a small part of tennis history as the youngest South American champion in ATP Tour history (since 1990) – the seventh youngest ATP champion overall.
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The 24-time Grand Slam champion was also asked if he remembers how it felt to be a teenager on court with lower expectations and a greater ability to swing freely: “A little bit. It comes in flashes, but yeah, it does feel great, you know, when you’re that young and playing at a high level, not much to lose, a lot to gain.
“Of course attention from the people, support, you know, builds up and it all adds to a great evolution of the player and the personality eventually will come to the point where it’s going to convert into pressure and expectations from himself, from the others, and so forth.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was, himself, a teenage sensation, winning multiple titles – including a Masters 1000 title in Miami, where he was the youngest male singles player to have lifted the trophy in the event’s history.
Djokovic will compete against Botic Van de Zandschulp, whilst Fonseca will face off with the in-form Jack Draper.
“I’m feeling good,” stated the Serb about his current form.
“I really look forward coming to Indian Wells and Miami this year, you know. I’ll play the Sunshine Double first time after, I think, six years. So I look forward to that.”
