"It also bothers me": Joao Fonseca calls for moderation from Brazilian fans after Rome Open defeat
ATP
Joao Fonseca called for moderation from the Brazilian crowd following his defeat in the second round of the Italian Open. The Brazilian spoke with ESPN Brasil after his defeat against Serbian player Hamad Medjedovic by 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(1), a match marked by the constant interruptions from the Brazilian crowd that attended to support him.
Since his breakthrough on Tour, Fonseca has become one of the crowd favourites and his matches have been marked by a fervent atmosphere. The Brazilian crowd has been characterised by its passion in supporting what has been their most outstanding male representative since Gustavo Kuerten, and the expectation he generates is beginning to become a problem due to the interruptions during his matches.
“Too many interruptions. I’m not going to say that was the reason for the loss, because it wasn’t. But the crowd really matters; Brazilian fans sometimes think it’s a football match,” he said to ESPN Brazil. “I love the crowd, but there has to be a small limit.”
The World No. 29 says goodbye to Rome in the second round, although there are still clay-court challenges remaining, with the Hamburg Open scheduled for next week – his final tournament before travelling to French Open.
Fonseca admits crowd interruptions also affect his own game
The clash between former champions of the Next Gen ATP Finals had the crowd almost completely in favour of Fonseca. The fans constantly interrupted the young Serbian, who even had a particular celebration after the match, making the controversial ‘go to sleep’ gesture towards the spectators after defeating the South American.
Fonseca acknowledged that the noise and interruptions mid-match – or between serves – are not only a distraction for his rivals, but even for himself, which harms the spectacle. “It doesn’t only bother the player, it also bothers me. So, it’s just a request, but I still enjoy playing with the crowd, with the people cheering for me,” Fonseca mentioned.
The 19-year-old nevertheless leaves Rome with a place guaranteed as a seeded player at the French Open, which will be his second time among the 32 seeds at a Grand Slam. This means he will avoid any higher-ranked rival at least until a potential third round, clearing his path from the most dangerous opponents in the opening stages of the tournament.
Fonseca is currently on a streak of three consecutive defeats on clay courts, and has barely managed two victories in his last six matches on the surface. What is his most natural surface – faithful to the South American style – has not been especially fruitful this season, although he trusts in regaining his level in the upcoming challenges.
“Obviously, people will ask if João is more frustrated than usual. It’s about the opportunities—they’re coming fewer and fewer—but I’ve already identified that issue and I’m working hard to improve,” the 19-year-old player explained. “Another lesson, another chance to grow, different points. Tennis is great because the following week there’s another chance to go out there and play your best. So we move on—after a tough loss, we move on with our heads held high.”
Joao Fonseca 2026 clay swing Results (5-4)
| Tournament | Round | Opponent | Opponent Ranking | Result | Score |
| Monte-Carlo Masters | R64 | Gabriel Diallo | No. 36 | Win | 6-2, 6-3 |
| Monte-Carlo Masters | R32 | Arthur Rinderknech | No. 27 | Win | 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 |
| Monte-Carlo Masters | R16 | Matteo Berrettini | No. 90 | Win | 6-3, 6-2 |
| Monte-Carlo Masters | QF | Alexander Zverev | No. 3 | Loss | 5-7, 7-6(3), 3-6 |
| BMW Open | R32 | Alejandro Tabilo | No. 45 | Win | 7-6(1), 6-3 |
| BMW Open | R16 | Arthur Rinderknech | No. 26 | Win | 6-3, 6-2 |
| BMW Open | QF | Ben Shelton | No. 6 | Loss | 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 |
| Madrid Open | R64 | Marin Cilic | No. 51 | - | Walkover |
| Madrid Open | R32 | Rafael Jodar | No. 42 | Loss | 6-7(4), 6-4, 1-6 |
| Rome Open | R64 | Hamad Medjedovic | No. 67 | Loss | 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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