All Hail The Fons: Melbourne comes to Brazil with teen Joao Fonseca Australian Open stunner

Happy days are here again for Brazilian tennis fans: 18-year-old Joao Fonseca clinches the first of what could be many major breakthroughs at the Australian Open, the qualifier stunning No. 9 seed Andrey Rublev, 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5).

Armed with spectacular power and a fearsome weight of shot, Fonseca barreled past the former world No. 5 in two hours and 23 minutes on Margaret Court Arena, thudding a soon-to-be signature forehand winner on match point.

“Not bad!” Fonseca exclaimed on court. “I just enjoyed every moment on this amazing court. It’s my first time playing in a huge stadium, my first main draw of a Grand Slam. So, I just enjoyed playing.

“I really want to thank this amazing crowd: there are some Brazilians here, a lot of Brazilians here who are cheering for me. I enjoyed every moment.”

Fonseca struck an electrifying 51 winners over three sets to just 32 unforced errors, confirming the potential many spotted in his ATP debut back in 2023. He ended last year by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals and looked to be the most dangerous qualifier when the men’s draw was made last week.

“I was just focused on my game, trying to put no pressure on myself playing with a top 10 guy in a huge stadium, trying to call the crowd to help me,” Fonseca said. “I just enjoyed playing.”

Rublev drew the proverbial short straw and despite his own professed mental improvements was unable to keep up with Fonseca’s pace as the youngster erased a break deficit in the third set and blitzed the ensuing tiebreaker.

“I just tried to put all the intensity on the important points,” he said. “One thing of myself, I play better on important points. I go for the shots and I’m courageous. That was the difference today.”

Quoting idol Roger Federer to end his on-court interview, Fonseca insisted “talent is not enough,” and gave credit to his team led by coach Guilherme Teixeira for the hard work that helped him achieve this milestone victory.

Very tentatively projected to make his Top 100 debut after the tournament—a deeper run would all but guarantee it for the world No. 112—Fonseca will get a familiar opponent in the second round when he faces Lorenzo Sonego, who defeated 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka earlier in the day. The pair played last spring on clay in Bucharest, Fonseca edging through in two tight sets.