Alex de Minaur issues clarification as he sparks controversy with cheeky message after beating Joao Fonseca in Miami

Alex de Minaur held his nerves in front of the raucous Miami Open crowd to get the better of Joao Fonseca in the third round.

Alex de Minaur issues clarification as he sparks controversy with cheeky message after beating Joao Fonseca in Miami

Alex de Minaur, Joao Fonseca (Image via X/Mario, Boccardi, ATP Tour)

How Alex de Minaur was successful in riling up Joao Fonseca supporters? Him signing the camera lens with “Rio Open” was enough. De Minaur was at the receiving end of criticism from Fonseca fans as they thought that the Aussie was taking a dig at the youngster with that aforementioned message.

Fonseca faced De Minaur in the Miami Open third round and almost pulled off the victory. The first set ended up in his favor and with difficulties, de Minaur saved himself from elimination in the second set. But in the third set, it was the experienced player who got the better of the teenager to eke out a 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 win in two hours and 31 minutes.

YouTube video

Not just Fonseca’s game, but the raucous crowd cheering loudly for the 18-year-old made De Minaur’s stay on the court difficult. But De Minaur was successful in silencing the crowd with the cheeky comment and after receiving criticism, De Minaur said that all he did was appreciate Fonseca.

Only spreading love out here!!! Possibly the loudest atmospheres I’ve ever played in and enjoyed the battle. Just out here giving props to the amazing support Joao has here in Miami. Goodnight everyone.

Alex de Minaur wrote on X

Check out his post here:

Alex de Minaur reveals mindset that helped him eke out win against Joao Fonseca

Brazilian fans have always flocked to stadiums to create a lively atmosphere when Joao Fonseca is playing. The tennis world was surprised upon seeing the support the young gun received when he won the Argentina Open.

Alex de Minaur
Alex de Minaur (Image via X/The Tennis Podcast)

Alex de Minaur too knew what the atmosphere would be. What helped him to emerge victorious was his mindset, as knew that he would be battling not just with the teen sensation but with the crowd, and this helped him prepare beforehand.

You can go out there, you can complain, you can get rattled, you can do a lot of different things. But that won’t help you win the match. Ultimately, that’s what I said to myself.

Alex de Minaur said during his on-court interview

The 26-year-old will next lock horns with Matteo Berrettini. He has met the Italian three times and holds a 1-2 head-to-head record. They last faced each other in the Wimbledon second round back in 2023 which the 28-year-old won in straight sets.

Berrettini made it to the last 16 of an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time since the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters. He will also be playing the round of 16 of a hard-court Masters 1000 tournament for the first time since 2022 Indian Wells.

Joao Fonseca reflects on his defeat to Alex de Minaur

Joao Fonseca was chasing his second top-10 win in this tournament after ousting Ugo Humbert in the previous round. Fonseca, who made a total of 43 unforced errors against Alex de Minaur, was also on a seven-match winning streak, having won the Phoenix Challenger before arriving in Miami. Following the match, Fonseca reflected on his defeat.

Joao Fonseca (3)
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/Joao Fonseca Updates)

Alex is a very experienced guy, he has been on the circuit for a long time, knows how to play in these circumstances, with the crowd against him. I had my chances in crucial moments, the opportunity to close the door on him, but he capitalized better on his. I served at 2-1 in the third set, could’ve sealed it, but emotions got the better of me.

Joao Fonseca said at the press conference

In the first event of Sunshine Double, Fonseca could win just one match as he was ousted by eventual winner Jack Draper in the second round. Fonseca is 22-5 across all levels this season.