Fonseca: 'To see kids saying I'm their idol is crazy'

Joao Fonseca grew up 10 minutes from the site of the Rio Open presented by Claro. But today in Brazil, the 18-year-old is more than just the local favourite — he is like a full-blown rockstar.

Large swarms of fans sang the #NextGenATP star’s name on Monday at the ATP 500 as he practised less than 24 hours after earning his first ATP Tour title in Buenos Aires. The press conference room was completely full with media eager to hear what the Brazilian, who met gymnast Rebeca Andrade, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, had to say.

One year ago, Fonseca was the No. 655 player in the PIF ATP Rankings when he reached the quarter-finals in Rio de Janeiro. To say the teen has surged since would be an understatement.

“I feel very honoured by the messages I got from local and international idols, to know that they know who I am. Guys like Neymar, Vini Jr, Ronaldo,” Fonseca said in Portuguese according to RioOpen.com. “They are idols, people that I consider untouchable. And also to see kids saying that I’m their idol is just crazy. I’m very happy with everything that’s happening." 

Fonseca’s talent has long been clear. The former junior World No. 1 defeated Arthur Fils and Cristian Garin in straight sets as a 17-year-old on his last visit to this tournament.

Now Fonseca is World No. 68. Although it is only the middle of February, he is 13th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, which accounts for points earned from the start of the season.

“Things are quite different now if you compare from last year,” Fonseca said. “I know that things happened really fast in my career but I think last year’s Joao would never believe that he could go so far so fast. Obviously I always believed I could get to where I am today, but never this soon.”

Fonseca explained that he “had no clue that I had gone viral after my campaign at the Australian Open”, where the Brazilian upset Top 10 star Andrey Rublev. But he is no longer the boy who visited the Rio Open as a fan, like in 2014 when he watched Rafael Nadal from front-row seats.

Now Fonseca is the centre of attention. The 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion will face Alexandre Muller in the first round Tuesday evening.

“This is the first time that I got a feeling of how things have changed and that only makes me even prouder of my achievements,” Fonseca said. “I’m happy to see kids looking up to me and that only makes me stronger and hungrier.”