Novak Djokovic says he sees some of himself when watching Australian Open breakout star Joao Fonseca play.
The 18-year-old Brazillian is rapidly rising in the men’s game and recorded the biggest win of his career on Tuesday when he defeated Andrey Rublev in what was his first meeting against a top 10 player. Fonseca, who won the 2023 US Open boy’s title, won his maiden ATP trophy in December at the Next Gen Finals and is yet to be beaten this season. Earlier this year, he also won a Challenger title in Canberra before breezing through qualifying at the Australian Open where he didn’t drop a set.
Fonseca’s rapid rise in the sport has generated a surge of interest in him, whose game resembles that of Djokovic’s in the eye’s of the 24-time Grand Slam champion. The two briefly met in person for the first time on Wednesday shortly after Djokovic beat Portugal’s Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2, in what was his 430th Grand Slam match which is a new record.
“I congratulated him not only on the win last night that I’ve seen, the last set I’ve seen but also everything he has been doing the last six to 12 months.” Said Djokovic.
“I’ve been following his rise, and I just love how he plays the big points. Courageous, very clean hitter, all-around player.”
Continuing his praise of the world No.112, Djokovic describes Fonseca as the biggest thing in Brazilian tennis since Gustavo Kuerten who won three French Open trophies during his career.
“Brazil is a huge country. It’s super important for our sport to have a very good player coming from Brazil,” he continued.
“I think they haven’t had a player maybe of this caliber since Guga Kuerten. It’s exciting times for Brazil, but also for the whole tennis world ’cause such a young player and person to be able to play so good on a big stage is impressive.
“I’ve been a fan of his game. I think in one of my interviews for ATP I was saying I see some of my game there in his game, particularly when I was his age when you’re kind of carelessly going for the shots, just showing what you’re capable of.
“He’s got the goods. He showed that last night on a big stage to go very far. The future is bright for him, no doubt, if he keeps going this way.”
Djokovic is the latest person to praise Fonseca with Carlos Alcaraz also speaking highly of the teenager following his second round win in Melbourne. Whilst life on the Tour in new for the youngster, he says he is hungry to achieve more.
“For sure, the NextGen gave me confidence. I mean, I’m playing great tennis, so I need to enjoy this moment, to play my best,” Fonseca told reporters.
“I’m playing good, so I’m feeling confident.
“I think when I arrived here, my first goal was to qualify for the main draw. Of course, my expectations are bigger now.
“I want more and more.”
Fonseca will return to action on Thursday when he plays Lorenzo Sonego. Meanwhile, Djokovic’s next match will be a day later against 26th seed Tomas Machac.
