Tennis Enthusiasts' Excitement Soars as Brazilian Player Evokes Kuerten's Glory at the Roland Garros Tournament
Brazilian Talent Joao Fonseca Shines at Roland Garros
Joao Fonseca, an 18-year-old tennis prodigy from Brazil, is making waves in the tennis world with his impressive performance at Roland Garros. Fonseca's enthusiasm and skill have now created an exhilarating atmosphere reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.
Fans and onlookers flocked to Court 7 during Fonseca's first-round victory, as the venue was too small to accommodate the growing admirers. Even on Court 14 for his second-round match against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Fonseca had an abundance of supporters.
"I knew there would be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris, a lot of Brazilians living here, and they come a lot. I think because of 'Guga'," Fonseca said referencing former world number one Gustavo Kuerten, who won the title in Paris in 1997, 2000, and 2001.
Fonseca's popularity extends beyond Paris, with spectators flocking to events in Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Miami to catch a glimpse of the rising star. His journey started a year ago when he gained public attention in his home city of Rio, having risen from a ranking of 655th to the quarter-finals of the prestigious clay tournament 10 minutes from where he grew up.
Fonseca's Grand Slam debut earlier this year in Australia saw him knock out Andrey Rublev in straight sets. Back home, viewers and experts alike believe they are witnessing the emergence of a new Kuerten. World number three Carlos Alcaraz predicted, "He's going to be there. We’re going to put Joao Fonseca's name on the list of the best players in the world really soon." The 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic has similarly taken notice of Fonseca's progress.
In February, Fonseca captured his first ATP title in Buenos Aires with a win over Francisco Cerundolo in the final. His opening victory at Roland Garros over 30th seed Hubert Hurkacz earned him the honor of the youngest to win a match in the men's draw since Alcaraz in 2021.
"He's showing maturity and desire. I think he's very balanced, and his game is quite impressive. And above all, you can tell he's hungry for more," said Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Fonseca's exceptional shot-making is particularly noticeable in his blistering forehand, which becomes even more lethal on clay.
Despite being a clay court specialist, Fonseca hopes to one day master the lawns of Wimbledon.
Wary of setting unrealistic expectations, Fonseca admits he still has room for improvement, with emphasis on his backhand, service game, net play, and clay-court defense.
"Those are things that will come with time," he said. "I’m young, and I’m gaining experience with everything now. So I’m learning a lot from this circuit and this environment."
After defeating Rublev in January, Fonseca is set for another opportunity to face a top-10 player in the next round of Roland Garros against British fifth seed Jack Draper.
© 2025 AFP
[1]: URL for Roland Garros draw with Fonseca's match-ups information[2]: URL for ATP Ranking Projections for Joao Fonseca[4]: URL for Fonseca's maiden ATP title win in Buenos Aires[5]: URL for Fonseca's impressive results and analysis
The rising talent, Joao Fonseca, is captivating audiences beyond Paris, as spectators flock to events in various cities, including Rio de Janeiro and Miami, to witness his tennis prowess, reminiscent of Brazilian legend Gustavo Kuerten.
The environment on the tennis courts, charged with Fonseca's determination and skill, closely mirrors the fervor of Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium. In addition to tennis, the young prodigy has developed a growing interest in the protection of our environment, expressing his commitment to these issues.
