Joao Fonseca makes stunning ATP Rankings breakthrough after Australian Open win
Joao Fonseca is the talk of tennis after his incredible win against Andrey Rublev on his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open – and it has edged him towards one of the first big rankings targets of his career.
Fonseca’s name has been circulating in tennis for many years, with his impressive performances on the junior circuit singling out the Brazilian as a player to watch.
Now his big Grand Slam moment has arrived after a brilliant 7-6 (1) 6-3 7-6 (5) victory over Rublev and the win has propelled the teenager into the top 100 of the live rankings.
He started the Australian Open ranked at No 112 and that was already impressive for a young man who had won just 11 matches on the ATP Tour.
After his win against Rublev, Fonseca is on course to break into the top 100 for the first time, with his current live ranking sitting at No 98.
A win in his next match against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego would push his live ranking into the mid-80s and if he could get to the second week of the Australian Open, he would have a chance of cracking the top 50.
“I just enjoyed the moment,” said Fonseca after his first win against a top 10 player.
“This is an amazing court. It’s my first time playing in a huge stadium. I really want to thank this amazing crowd. There were a lot of Brazilians here cheering for me.
“Of course my expectations are bigger now. I want more and more, I think that is the mentality of champions.”
Even though he is only at the starting point of his career, Fonseca is also closing in a major prize money milestone.
He had already won $847,106 in prize money in his career and if he could win a couple more matches at the Australian Open, that magical $1million barrier could be broken for the 18-year-old.
Fonseca will need to get used to the spotlight and some optimists are already suggesting he could be part of a new ‘Big 3’ alongside Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
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We are a long way from putting Fonseca in their class yet, but it is clear this kid from Rio is a shooting star.
Fonseca spoke to Tennis365 last summer about his formative days growing up in Brazil, as he looked back on humble beginnings.
“I’d be one of those kids with a ball playing on Copacabana beach and I was okay at it but, to be honest, I never seriously thought I could make a career out of it and when I picked up an injury playing, I decided soccer was not for me. It was a bit too dangerous,” said Fonseca.
“My parents (mum Roberta and dad Christiano) are very into sports. They play a lot of different sports and so I did too: surfing, climbing, soccer, kite-surf, tennis. Until I was 11 or 12, I was playing more soccer, but once I tried tennis and found I was quite good, that was it.
“Things have gone well and I’m excited for the future, but I need to stick with the process, go match by match, tournament by tournament. Stay humble and keep calm.
“I have a dream of becoming No 1. I think every player has this dream. Obviously you need to keep your feet on the ground and just stay humble and focused on your routine. Stay with cute people, people who are helping you to become what you want and to reach your dreams.
“I have incredible support in Brazil and wherever I play, in Australia, America, in the UK, there seem to be Brazilians everywhere cheering for me. I am so proud to represent my country.”
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