Joao Fonseca Reflects on His Ambitions Ahead of Argentina Open Title Defense: “My Dream is Be No.1 and Win Grand Slams”
World No.33 Joao Fonseca is bidding to win his third title at the ATP 250 Argentina Open.
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Joao Fonseca (Image via X/@Alejandro Lopez Fernandez)
- Joao Fonseca aims to become a Grand Slam champion and reach No. 1 in the ATP rankings.
- He is defending his title at the Argentina Open after a challenging start to the 2026 season.
- Fonseca emphasizes the importance of handling pressure and constantly improving to achieve his goals.
Joao Fonseca is back at the Argentina Open, where he won his career’s first ATP title last year by defeating home favorite Francisco Cerundolo. Fonseca did not have a great start to the 2026 season and will be hoping to get his first win.
Fonseca withdrew from two events Down Under due to a lower back injury. He withdrew from his opening-round match in Brisbane against Reilly Opelka, and Eliot Spizzirri, who later took the first set off two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, knocked out Fonseca in the first round of the Australian Open.
In the pre-tournament press conference in Melbourne, Fonseca talked about his ambitions, which are to become a Grand Slam champion and reach the top of the rankings table.
I started very well after the Next Gen tournament, winning Canberra and then winning here in Buenos Aires. During the year, I had ups and downs, more ups than downs, but I had moments where I felt more pressure and expectations. At the end of the year, I won Basel, which was my first ATP 500, and I finished the year much more mature and better able to handle this level. I have to work harder and harder to climb in the rankings and fulfill my dream, which is to be number one and win Grand Slams.
Joao Fonseca said at the press conference
Fonseca reached his career-high No.24 in November last year, but at present, the 2024 Next-Gen ATP Finals champion stands in 33rd position. He made his Grand Slam debut in the Melbourne Slam last year, losing in the second round, and also made the second round at the US Open.
He was eliminated in the third rounds of the French Open and Wimbledon. In the ATP Masters 1000 events, he produced his best performance by advancing to the third rounds of the Miami Open and the Cincinnati Masters last year.
Joao Fonseca on his title defense at the Argentina Open
Joao Fonseca‘s task at hand is to defend a title for the first time. In his opening round, the Brazilian youngster will lock horns with Facundo Diaz Acosta or Alejandro Tabilo.
I haven’t had a good start to the year due to physical problems, but I’m now at 100%. It’s my first time defending an ATP title, and having this experience is something few people get. I have to enjoy it and try to play my best tennis to win the tournament again. I have to learn that I’m going to have more and more pressure. I’m working and training well, so I’m prepared and confident.
Joao Fonseca said at the pre-tournament press conference
Fonseca also spoke about the praise and criticism he is receiving from the Brazilian fans. He is aware that pressure and criticism are part and parcel of being a tennis player, especially if he is someone who many believe has the ability to join Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to form another Big 3 of tennis.
Fonseca made it clear that he focuses on only his work and his life, that he doesn’t “owe anything to anyone” because he cannot win all the time. Hearing that he is an inspiration or idol motivates him to make history for Brazil. And this is why, instead of being complacent, he wants to constantly improve himself to achieve all his goals.
Fonseca added one more title to his name last year. He defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final of the Swiss Indoors to win his career’s first ATP 500 title.
Also read: Elena Rybakina Aims to Keep the Momentum Going in Doha After Australian Open Victory
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