Up next for Fonseca?
Vogue: You basically blew the mind of the tennis world in Australia.
How did it feel for you?
Joao Fonseca—the youngest South American to win an ATP title since 1990—at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires last month.
Were you as surprised as everybody else, or was this the way you saw things unfolding?
But it was great one.
Im very proud of myself: the way that I played, the way that I fight.
Fonseca playing Jacob Fearnley at the BNP Paribas Open this month.
Im excited for the rest of the season.
Has that gotten in your way at all?
Its a lot of expectations.
Fonseca taking the court at the Australian Open in January.
People are talking a lot, and its kind of a good thing.
I dont stay very nervous about it.
Thats what Im trying to do.
And, yeah, just trying to work, do my routines, and play my tennis.
Fonseca playing Jacob Fearnley at the BNP Paribas Open this month.
Are there other top players that youve beat?
Did he play better, or did you play worse?
It was on different surfaces.
I played him first on clayalso, no one really knew who I was then.
I was just this Brazilian kid that had gotten a wild card, ranked 300 in the world.
And then I played some good tennis.
I also knew that he was a great player, a top-40 player.
And it was a different surface.
I was nervous; there were a lot of expectations.
He deserved itit was a great match.
When you were growing up and playing, did you have a tennis hero?
Hes the one that inspired mehes my idol in tennis.
And when did you realize that maybe tennis was something you might spend your life pursuing?
After that, I became the number one in juniors, and I said,Okay, Im good.
Im 17 and Im the number one player in the world.
Im not going to university.
What do you think is your biggest weapon, your biggest advantage, on the court?
My favorite shot and my best shot is my forehand.
But I think my composure on court is very good, too.
Do you have a mental coach or work with a sports psychologist?
Fonseca taking the court at the Australian Open in January.
Do you have a life away from tennis, or hobbies that dont involve tennis?
When I was young, I did all the sportssurf, soccer, volleyball, kite surfing, skateboarding.
Youre free, lets surf.
Other times, Im just tired and want to relax.
Or I go out with my friends, play pokerI have a good social life.
Youll turn 19 just before the US Open later this year.
For sure, its a goal of this year to play the main draws of all the Grand Slams.
I dont knowIm just enjoying playing.
This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
