“My expectations are higher now, I want more and more”: Joao Fonseca hungry for more success after Rublev upset

Joao Fonseca delivered the shock of the opening round by eliminating World No. 9 Andrey Rublev in straight sets (7-6, 6-3, 7-6). The 18-year-old Brazilian secured a commanding victory in his Grand Slam main draw debut, extending his winning streak to 14 matches.

Fonseca becomes just the second teenager to defeat a top-10 opponent in his major debut, a feat last achieved by Mario Ancic when he beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon 2002 at age 18. Additionally, Fonseca is the first teenager to beat a top-10 player in straight sets since Rublev defeated Grigor Dimitrov at the 2017 US Open.

Fonseca reflects on first top-10 victory

Following the match, with emotions settled, Fonseca appeared at his press conference, expressing satisfaction with his mental toughness throughout the encounter. “It’s just amazing for me what I did. My first win in a Grand Slam, my first win against a Top 10 player, my first time playing in a Grand Slam main draw. Everything is new to me, and I played such a good match."

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Rublev's defeat marks his earliest exit at the Australian Open since 2019. With this breakthrough performance, Fonseca has secured his entry into the top 100 rankings and is emerging as a player to watch in the 2025 season. "I am just very happy with myself, very proud of how I fought, and how I stayed mentally focused on every game and point," he added.

Fonseca, already a standout prospect in tennis, is a former World No. 1 junior and the reigning ATP Next Gen Finals champion. His meteoric rise from No. 730 in early 2024 to the top 150 by the season’s end has turned heads in the tennis world. However, this victory marked his first triumph against an elite opponent on a prominent stage like Melbourne Park.

"I knew the pressure was coming. Like I said, everything was new to me, but I didn’t see myself as the favourite. I went onto the court thinking, ‘I’m an 18-year-old guy; he’s a top-10 player; I’ll do my best.’ I knew I could beat him, but I didn’t feel pressured."

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Reflecting on the pivotal moments, Fonseca said, "When I was two sets to love, I started thinking, ‘Okay, maybe I’m going to win this match,’ but I knew I needed to stay focused and keep pushing. The nerves were there, but I managed to stay mentally strong."

With his sights set high, Fonseca remains focused on the next challenge rather than dwelling on his win over Rublev. "My first goal was to get through the qualifying rounds. Of course, my expectations are higher now—I want more and more,” the Brazilian youngstar added. "I’m happy with how I played today, but I’m already thinking about the next match. It’s going to be a good one against a very strong player. I think that’s the champion's mentality—always thinking about the next challenge."

In the second round, Fonseca will face Italy's Lorenzo Sonego (World No. 55), who defeated former champion Stan Wawrinka in four sets.

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