Indian Wells (United States) (AFP) – Casual conversations with superstars and autograph-hungry fans are 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca’s new normal, but he’s determined to stay grounded as he strives for tennis greatness. Fonseca, who became the 10th youngest ATP Tour champion in history with his Argentina Open triumph last month, kept his nerve in difficult, windy conditions to defeat Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 and book a second-round berth at the Indian Wells ATP Masters, where he was surprised to find himself congratulated by 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic.
“I was just leaving the court that I practiced on after my match, and then he was entering,” Fonseca said of his chance encounter with Djokovic. “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,” added Fonseca, who said he had traded brief greetings with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz when they bumped into each other just before his match.
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The affable teen has quickly become a fan favorite, and the autograph hunters were out when he headed to a practice court after his win to put in a little extra work. “Everything is new for me,” he said of the attention. “But seeing people, and not only Brazilians but from all over the world, like, cheering for me and calling my name, just wanting autographs, kids.” Two years ago it was me asking for the autographs,” he said, recalling seeking autographs himself at the Rio Open.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev, the world number two and top seed, said this week that this period in Fonseca’s career is “the best time.” “Everything seems so easy,” Zverev said. “You’re kind of seeing a tennis ball, seeing the guy across from you at the net, and there is no thoughts behind anything else.”
“I think when you’re young, you’re kind of swinging freely, you’re enjoying your time on the professional circuit for the first time, and there is no pressure.” Fonseca is more than ready to enjoy it, but says distractions and the rising chatter surrounding him won’t turn his head. “Yeah, sometimes it comes a pressure, it’s normal,” he said. “You just need to focus on what you need to do and win matches, focusing with your team on the routines.”
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