Meet the Brazilian sensation Fonseca hoping to shock Draper – Nsemkeka
Queues snake outside the courts wherever João Fonseca is playing – meaning only the forward planners and most patient are rewarded.
It will be the same when the 18-year-old Brazilian, who had never played a main-draw Grand Slam match until this year, meets Britain’s Jack Draper in the French Open third round on Saturday.
Most outside of the tennis bubble have never heard of Fonseca, but the world number 65 is creating a real stir inside it.
“I think everyone can see his potential in the way he plays the game,” Draper said.
“The stuff he can come out with is powerful, very dynamic and explosive – that’s what has drawn a lot of people to him.”
Fonseca’s biggest weapon is a ferocious forehand that leaves opponents beaten and spectators gasping with excitement.
While able to demonstrate his easy power from the baseline, he also shows signs of inexperience, continuing to hit aggressively instead of a more subtle approach.
“When I was young, I always loved to hit winners, but sometimes the ball was going to the fence,” Fonseca told BBC Sport.
“All the time I just wanted to hit winners. Then I started improving and being more patient.
“I was not patient when I was 13. When I was older, I started understanding the time to go for the shots, but the forehand is a natural thing.”
Brazil’s ‘great hope’ to end Grand Slam drought
The hype is continuing to build around the youngster labelled Brazil’s newest sporting superstar.
Football icons Ronaldo and Neymar have sent congratulatory messages while primetime Brazilian chat shows are desperate to have Fonseca on the sofa – an offer so far resisted by his representatives.
A carnival atmosphere led by thousands of Brazilians has followed Fonseca this year from Melbourne to Miami, and in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro.
“People were constantly yelling and following him. We had to find ways to get him through the back door of the club,” Rio Open tournament director Lui Carvalho told BBC Sport.
“He could no longer do the normal route and mix with the crowd. We needed different logistics to protect him.
“We have never had so many requests from government officials and celebrities for tickets – that shows he is a kid who can change the future of the sport in Brazil.”
For some young players, the attention might be overawing. But Fonseca, who comes across shy and softly spoken in interviews, is embracing it.
“I just love it. I love to represent Brazil and carry the flag,” he said.
“It is very adorable of them to keep following me. Wherever I go, Brazilians are supporting me.
“When I’m going higher in the ranking,s there are even more people coming.”
Fonseca’s rise has already led to Brazilian dreams of finally producing another Grand Slam champion.
Only two players from the South American nation – Maria Bueno and Gustavo Kuerten – have won major singles titles.
Kuerten was the last Brazilian man to win a singles Grand Slam, claiming his third French Open title in 2001.
“We invest so much emotion in Fonseca because of what Gustavo did in the past – and now João is our hope,” Brazilian Luis Gustavo told BBC Sport at the Madrid Open.
“We are trusting him to become the new number one and a Grand Slam winner. We miss Guga so much.”
‘Things changed fast in the pandemic’
Unlike some of Brazil’s sporting superstars, Fonseca’s story is not one of humble beginnings in the Rio favelas.
Fonseca grew up in a wealthy family and started playing tennis at the Rio de Janeiro Country Club – one of Brazil’s most exclusive private venues.
His father, Christiano, is a businessman who founded his own hedge fund company, while mother, Roberta was a junior volleyball player who moved into sports event management.
“For me, tennis started as a hobby when I was 10 or 11,” Fonseca said.
“Things got more serious when I was 12 and I changed my coach and school.
“I started practising two times every day in the pandemic. Things changed very fast.”
Global sponsors began putting lucrative contracts on the table – including the On sportswear brand part-owned by Roger Federer – while leading agents offered their services.
But Fonseca’s parents have decided to guide him themselves with the help of manager Gustavo Abreu, a former colleague of Christiano.
“I have a very good base with my family and the team,” Fonseca added.
“They help me keep my feet on the ground and focus on my routine.
“They know what I need to do to improve my game and personality.”