Djokovic: Fonseca is the tour's sensation in 2025 season

Posted : 25 March 2025

Novak Djokovic is in Miami, aiming for his first title of the year. While discussions around his performance and collaboration with Andy Murray have been prominent, Djokovic shifted attention to rising tennis talents. One name that stood out was Joao Fonseca, a Brazilian teenager making waves on the tour. Although Fonseca exited in the third round against Alex de Minaur, his impact did not go unnoticed by Djokovic, who praised his impressive rise.

The 18-year-old Fonseca reached the third round at the Miami Open before falling to De Minaur in a tightly contested three-set battle. With the crowd backing him, he pushed the No. 10 seed to the limit before eventually losing 5-7, 7-5, 6-3. Despite the defeat, Djokovic had nothing but admiration for the young Brazilian, acknowledging his talent and potential. "He has been the talk of the tour in recent months, and rightfully so. He is an outstanding player," Djokovic commented during a press conference.

Djokovic highlighted Fonseca's all-around game, describing his power from the baseline and strong serve as key strengths. "For someone so young, his firepower is remarkable. But what stands out even more is his composure under pressure, despite his limited experience at the top level," Djokovic noted. The Serbian star believes Fonseca has a well-rounded game that could make him a serious contender in the future.

Against De Minaur, Fonseca showcased his resilience, battling deep into the night in what the Australian later described as "a hell of a battle." The match lasted over two and a half hours, with Fonseca taking more risks as he tried to overpower his opponent. His aggressive approach led to a higher unforced error count, which ultimately cost him the match. The crowd was overwhelmingly on his side, prompting De Minaur to humorously write “Rio Open” on the camera lens after his win.

Fonseca first grabbed attention at the Australian Open by upsetting Andrey Rublev before securing his maiden ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires. Djokovic emphasized how crucial such young talents are for the sport, particularly in Brazil. "He is an exciting prospect for Brazilian tennis and the sport in general. Back in Australia, I mentioned how important it is for tennis to have emerging stars like him," Djokovic remarked.

The Serbian legend also acknowledged other young players making an impact. "Fonseca is not the only one. Jakub Mensik has been exceptional, though he is talked about less. There's also Learner Tien—both of them have similar rankings and potential," he said. Djokovic believes this new generation is bringing excitement to the sport and has the capability to reach the highest level.

Djokovic has not yet faced Fonseca or Tien in competition, but he did battle against Mensik last season, securing a hard-fought victory in Shanghai. While Fonseca's Miami Open journey has ended, Mensik has advanced to the round of 16, where he will meet fellow Czech Tomas Machac. Meanwhile, Djokovic himself is preparing to face No. 15 seed Lorenzo Musetti in his next match.

Djokovic: Fonseca is the tour's sensation in 2025 season

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