What Joao Fonseca had to say about playing against Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros
Young players usually prefer to avoid the biggest guns in tennis during the first few rounds of a Grand Slam, but Joao Fonseca has a different mindset than most.
Aged just 18, Fonseca has already notched up several milestones as he won his maiden ATP Tour singles title at the Argentina Open in May, becoming the fourth youngest title winner since 2000.
He has peaked at No 58 in the ATP Rankings with his current position of 65 high enough for a direct entry into the main draw of the French Open.
It will be the first time that he has qualified outright for a Grand Slam as he made his major debut at this year’s Australian Open after coming through qualifying.
He then claimed the scalp of ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the first round before losing in five sets against Lorenzo Sonego.
Fonseca is unlikely to be seeded at Roland Garros and he admits he would love to face one “iconic” players in the opening round namely Novak Djokovic.
“When we start these biggest tournaments, the Grand Slams, the ‘qualies’, I always tell my coach: ‘If I go to the main draw, I want to play Djokovic,’ because it’s probably one of the last times. I hope I can play him,” he told RolandGarros.com.
“I’d love to face Djokovic first, second round. I’d try to play my best tennis, the result wouldn’t matter, I’d just enjoy it.
“I like to play the top seeds, I like the challenge. I play with no pressure, so I think I can play well there.
“I like to play with the crowd also, so it’s an experience I want to have. Some players will want to play ‘easier’ first, but I want to play the iconic ones.”
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With a Grand Slam match win under his belt, his next goal is to win two matches at a major event, but he is aiming much higher than a couple of wins at the Slams.
“I’m rising fast. One of the goals I want to get to a third round of a Grand Slam. Maybe it can be at Roland-Garros? I play well on clay, was born on clay, grew up on clay, I feel confident,” he said.
“My goal for the future is to be No 1, that’s the dream, but I know it’s a long way to go. I have to work even harder, go step by step.
“I need to get more experiences, like this. Roland-Garros will be my first direct entry into a Grand Slam. This all helps me develop, to evolve, alongside putting in the necessary work. I think that’s the way of achieving the highest goals.”
