Australian Open 2025 results: Carlos Alcaraz says Joao Fonseca will be on ‘top players list very soon'”

Fonseca was ranked number 730 in the world at the start of 2024, but by the end of the year he had risen up the rankings to the top 150.

He captured the attention of tennis fans with quarterfinal runs at the ATP 500 event in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro and at the ATP 250 in Bucharest.

The teenager really established himself as one of the top newcomers by winning December’s Next Gen ATP Finals – an event for the top male players aged 21 and under.

Current world number one Jannik Sinner, who won the tournament in 2019, is the only player to lift the title at a younger age than Fonseca.

In fact, it was Sinner who convinced Fonseca to turn pro when he was a hitting partner for the Italian at the 2023 ATP Finals.

Fonseca’s display against Rublev proved his potential as he took charge with his powerful forehand and sent home 51 winners to the Russian’s 33.

“I just enjoyed every moment on this amazing pitch, it’s my first time playing in a big stadium,” said Fonseca.

Fonseca is just the second teenager since 1973 to beat a top-10 opponent at their first Grand Slam, after Mario Ancic beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2002.

Asked in his on-court interview how much money it would cost to have his talent, Fonseca referenced 20-time major winner Federer and replied: “As Roger said, talent is not enough without hard work.

“My idol was always Roger, I grew up watching Roger. Everyone wanted to play like him and I even tried when I was younger with a one-handed (backhand) for a week.”

Fonseca meets Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the second round on Thursday, who is ranked 57 places higher.

“Obviously my expectations are higher now,” Fonseca said. “I want more and more, I think that’s the mentality of the champions.”