Fonseca provides positive health update: 'It's nothing to stress from'

Joao Fonseca fans can rest easy. The #NextGenATP Brazilian revealed after his three-set victory Thursday evening against Learner Tien that he is not concerned following a medical timeout in the third set.

Holding a break advantage at 3-2 in the decider, the 18-year-old appeared ill. A doctor came to court and provided him tablets to take. Fonseca composed himself and closed out the match against the man he defeated in last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF championship match.

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“When I was walking to serve, I felt very bad,” Fonseca said. “I [was] supposed to throw up and I felt a little bit better after the doctor gave me some pills and [I am] feeling better now. I think it’s nothing to stress from. Maybe some tension during the match.”

Although the American, Tien, was the home player, the crowd was boisterous in support of Fonseca. The Miami fans often cheer for South American players vociferously. After shaking hands with his opponent, Fonseca wrote on the camera lens, “Am I in Brazil?”

“Of course it’s super nice, but my dream is to actually play tennis, reach good things in this sport. And I think reaching good things in this sport comes of course the crowd, which is amazing,” Fonseca said. “I’m very grateful for the Brazilian crowd coming here and cheering for my name, being loud. It really means a lot. It helped me a lot during this match.

“I knew it was going to be difficult against Learner. Great guy, a great player, very solid, smart kid. He knows how to play in those circumstances against a big crowd, so I knew it was going to be difficult anyway.”

Fonseca, No. 60 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, will try to maintain his good form in the second round against 19th seed Ugo Humbert. The Frenchman won their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting earlier this year in Davis Cup action.