Alexander Zverev believes now is the “best time” for Joao Fonseca to become “a great player”

Joao Fonseca climbed to the mountain top of fame after beating Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the Australian Open.

Alexander Zverev believes now is the “best time” for Joao Fonseca to become “a great player”

Joao Fonseca and Alexander Zverev (via ATP/X)

Joao Fonseca has been one of the standout youngsters in the ATP Tour this season. With only three months into the year, the Brazilian teenager had already won one ATP title and made history at the Australian Open. That has led Alexander Zverev to declare that now is the best time for the 18-year-old to become a great player.

Fonseca recently reached his career-high ranking of World No.68 after claiming the Argentina Open. The Next Gen ATP champion also started the season by beating World No.8 Andrey Rublev in Melbourne. On Thursday (March 6), he defeated Jacob Fearnley in three sets to win his first match in his first main draw in Indian Wells.

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If there’s any player who understands what it means to climb into the ATP elites at a young age, it is Zverev. The German broke into the Top 100 in 2015 at just 18 years old and didn’t waste time to become World No.75. The following year, he broke into the Top 20 and, since 2017, has finished in the Top 10. The only year he failed to finish in the elite position was in 2022 and that was due to injury.

The 27-year-old was asked about Fonseca during his press conference. He explained that now is the best time for the World No.80 to grow to be a great player. He pointed out that because he’s young he’s free to enjoy his growth on the court

It’s almost the best time, because everything seems so easy. You know, you’re kind of seeing a tennis ball, seeing the guy across from you at the net, and there is no thoughts behind anything else. He’s very young, very, very talented, he’s going to be a great player, for sure. I think he can be top 10 and maybe even further than that. But yeah, I think when you’re young, you’re kind of swinging freely, you’re enjoying your time on the professional circuit for the first time, and there is no pressure. So, yeah, I like what l’m seeing from him. I think he’s a great player.

Alexander Zverev said via Indian Wells Press

Zverev is set to open his account in Indian Wells on Friday (Match 7) after being given a first round bye. The World No.2 will play Tallon Griekspoor in the second round. The German holds a 6-1 head-to-head record against the Dutch.

Alexander Zverev believes Cincinnati Open organizers were left with no choice following their tournament expansion

Earlier this year, the ATP announced that had expanded the Cincinnati Open to two weeks. The news came a few months after several players complained about the hectic tennis schedule. The ATP and WTA 1000 tournament was also grown from fielding 56 players to 96. The tournament is slated to be before the US Open.

Alexander Zverev (via X)

During the aforementioned press conference, Alexander Zverev was asked for his opinion on the expansion. The 27-year-old explained that it was not the Cincinnati organizer’s fault because the ATP had already made it a new rule.

I’m not the biggest fan of the two-week Masters 1000s. The season is getting longer and we have to spend more time at tournaments, but it’s not the event’s fault. Overall, it’s not Cincinnati’s fault, but the decision that the ATP has made, but overall, I feel good about Cincinnati and the changes they are making.

Alexander Zverev said

Some of the ATP and WTA 1000 tournaments (nine and eleven, respectively) are yet to expand to two weeks including the Dubai Championships and Paris Masters. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Open is set to run from August 5 to the 18th.