“I want to see where my level is”: Joao Fonseca previews Jannik Sinner showdown after Indian Wells breakthrough

Joao Fonseca continued his impressive run at the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells after defeating Tommy Paul 6-2, 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the Masters 1000 event, where he will face world No. 2 Jannik Sinner.

The Brazilian produced one of the most convincing performances of his season, backing up an earlier win over Karen Khachanov to secure his first appearance in the last 16 at Indian Wells.

Already ranked inside the Top 40 and the winner of two ATP titles – including an ATP 500 crown – Fonseca has steadily established himself as one of the most promising young players on the ATP Tour. His run in the California desert now places him alongside the sport’s elite once again, with another high-profile test awaiting.

Fonseca acknowledged after the match that facing Sinner represents one of the toughest challenges currently possible on the ATP Tour. Rather than viewing the matchup as pressure, the Brazilian described it as an opportunity to evaluate his current level against one of the sport’s dominant players. “I want to see where my level is,” Fonseca said during his press conference, describing the upcoming encounter as an important benchmark.

Fonseca admitted that the upcoming match against Sinner will present one of the toughest challenges on the ATP Tour. The Italian has established himself as one of the dominant forces in men’s tennis in recent seasons, combining consistency with one of the most complete baseline games in the sport.

For Fonseca, the match represents a valuable opportunity to measure his level against the standard currently set by the tour’s leading players. “The players watch a lot Carlos and Jannik playing a lot of finals and a lot of epic matches. Both are in another level. Right now they're playing such an amazing tennis and achieving — I mean, they're almost winning every tournament.”

Fonseca emphasised that matches like these are part of the process of competing consistently at the highest level of the tour. “To play against those guys like Khachanov, like Tommy Paul, and now Sinner, it's just really pleasure. That's what we work for, to play against those guys, the top guys.”

While acknowledging the challenge ahead, Fonseca maintained a competitive mindset and made clear that his objective will still be to fight for the victory. “I'm gonna enjoy playing out there. I'm gonna, I mean, try of course to win. But at the same time, try to enjoy my time on court and see where my game is.”

As Fonseca’s profile continues to grow, comparisons with the sport’s leading young stars have become increasingly common. The Brazilian has frequently been mentioned alongside players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as part of the next generation expected to shape the future of men’s tennis.

Asked about the growing hype, Fonseca said he prefers to view the comparisons as a positive sign rather than a source of pressure. “If people think that I can be there playing with Alcaraz and Sinner, then I try to take it in a positive way, not as pressure but as a privilege.”

The Brazilian also stressed that while he believes he has the level to compete with the best players, continued development remains essential. “Of course I believe I can get there. I played Khachanov and Tommy, two top-15 guys, and I played really well. But it needs time — mental work, physical work, and technique as well.”

Despite already achieving significant success early in his career, Fonseca made clear that his ambitions extend far beyond his current ranking. The Brazilian spoke openly about his long-term objectives, which include competing for the top positions in the ATP rankings and winning Grand Slam titles. “From where I want to be — top 1, top 5 in the world, win Grand Slams — this is going to be more usual.”

Fonseca also reflected on the growing attention he receives from fans during tournaments, something he says he enjoys as part of competing at the highest level of the sport. “I love the support from the fans. I love children and kids coming by asking for autographs and photos. It's super nice, so I just try to act in a normal and positive way.”

With his victory over Paul, Fonseca continues a strong campaign at Indian Wells and now prepares for one of the most demanding tests in men’s tennis. His upcoming clash with Sinner will provide another opportunity to measure himself against the very top of the ATP Tour.