{"id":84366,"date":"2025-05-28T09:36:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T13:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=84366"},"modified":"2025-05-28T09:36:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T13:36:27","slug":"joao-fonseca-shines-bright-at-the-french-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2025\/05\/28\/joao-fonseca-shines-bright-at-the-french-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Jo\u00e3o Fonseca Shines Bright at the French Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

In his career, Jo\u00e3o Fonseca will likely never again step onto a court as small as the one where he played his first-round match against Hubert Hurkacz at the French Open<\/a>. Still, the atmosphere was electric. There were more people in line hoping to get in than there were seats available, and even fans with tickets for Court Philippe Chatrier leaned over the balcony to catch a glimpse of the rising Brazilian star.<\/p>\n

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Unreal scenes for Hurkacz vs Fonseca.
\nHundreds queuing around the court just to get in.
\nHow was this match not scheduled on a bigger court?<\/p>\n

Incredible atmosphere!#RolandGarros<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/eaZ3QHBA9v<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Maciej Tr\u0105bski (@MTrabski) May 27, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Fonseca Makes a Statement<\/h2>\n

Fonseca didn\u2019t get an easy start. Facing one of the most in-form players on tour, he could\u2019ve easily been overpowered. Even if clay isn’t Hurkacz’s favorite surface, he has proven himself on it \u2014 winning titles, reaching the quarterfinals in Rome, and making the final in Geneva, where he nearly defeated Djokovic<\/a>. Yet in Paris, it was a different story: Hurkacz had no answers for Fonseca\u2019s firepower.<\/p>\n

Backed by a rowdy crowd of Brazilian fans, the 18-year-old cruised to a 6\u20132, 6\u20134, 6\u20132 win in under two hours. His clean hitting and composed demeanor turned heads, and highlights of his play \u2014 including a jaw-dropping backhand winner \u2014 lit up social media.<\/p>\n

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FONSECANON \ud83d\udca5#RolandGarros<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tEBHbA3F2F<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A Special Win<\/h3>\n

What many may forget is that this was Fonseca\u2019s debut at Roland Garros \u2014 and only the third Grand Slam main-draw match of his career. Even more impressively, it\u2019s not even his biggest win. Earlier this year in Melbourne, he stunned former world No. 5 Andrey Rublev in the first round of the Australian Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always special to play in front of the Brazilian crowd. My first time here in the main draw \u2014 a dream come true,\u201d said Fonseca after his victory. He also revealed that clay is currently his favorite surface. \u201cMy forehand and mentality are my biggest strengths,\u201d he added. \u201cBut I still need to improve my backhand, defense, serve, and net game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Respect From Hurkacz<\/h3>\n

Even Hurkacz was full of praise for his young opponent after the match. He admitted it had been one-way traffic from the beginning and, while mentioning some fatigue from a packed schedule in recent months, he offered no excuses. Instead, he gave Fonseca his due:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s spectacular how he plays, he has enormous potential. Besides that, he\u2019s a good guy \u2014 I wish him all the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next for Fonseca?<\/h3>\n
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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n