Joao Fonseca dreams of Novak Djokovic clash as he prefers playing against ‘icons’ instead of ‘easiest opponents’

Joao Fonseca is projected to lock horns with Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open.

Joao Fonseca dreams of Novak Djokovic clash as he prefers playing against ‘icons’ instead of ‘easiest opponents’

Novak Djokovic, Joao Fonseca (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Joao Fonseca has been taking the tennis world by storm. The youngster, who took home the Next Gen ATP Finals last year, won his first ATP title at the Argentina Open this year.

While it’s only the beginning for the Brazilian young gun, Novak Djokovic has reached the twilight of his career. He will, if not in the near future, will hang up his racket and join the other members of the Big 3 in the retirement list. But before that, Fonseca is dreaming of a clash with the 24-time Grand Slam champion in the Major events.

When we start Major tournaments, I always tell my coach, ‘If I get into the draw, I want to play Djokovic,’ because it’s probably one of the last opportunities. I hope I can face him. I would love to challenge him in the first or second round of Roland Garros.

Joao Fonseca told Roland Garros

Fosenca has never faced the Serb, Rafael Nadal or his idol Roger Federer. He is gearing up for the Madrid Open where he is scheduled to lock horns with Elmer Moller in the first round. The 18-year-old could meet Djokovic in the quarterfinals as they are in the same quarter of the draw.

Some people will want to play the easiest opponents, but I prefer to play against the most iconic players.

Joao Fonseca added

Fonseca will start his campaign on the clay swing in Madrid, which is his first tournament since losing the third-round match against Alex de Minaur at the Miami Open. He participated at the Madrid Open last year but lost to Cameron Norrie in the second round. Djokovic, on the other hand, will be making his first appearance in the tournament in three years.

Novak Djokovic is optimistic about the Madrid Open title

Novak Djokovic is the winner of three Madrid Open tites but the last time he played it, he fell in three-sets to eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. Last year, the Madrid Open was one of the Masters 1000 tournaments Djokovic skipped.

Novak Djokovic Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Novak Djokovic (via X/We Love Tennis)

In the Spanish capital on Monday (April 21), the Laureus Sports award ceremony was held and Djokovic, the winner of five Sportsman of the Year awards, awarded this year’s Sportsman of the Year award to pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis. During the ceremony, Djokovic also made his feelings clear about his chances of winning the Madrid Open.

I don’t know. I’m always optimistic, but I don’t know if I’m a favorite because I’m not getting very good results this year. The level I’m looking for can come here or in Roland Garros, I hope it’s here.

Novak Djokovic told Eurosport Spain

The three-time French Open champion last lifted the title in 2023. Last year, he reached the quarterfinals but his knee injury forced him to withdraw from the match.

Djokovic is still searching for his first title since winning the Paris Olympics last year. Since that victory, he has reached two finals, at the Shanghai Masters and the Miami Open, losing both to Jannik Sinner and Jakub Mensik respectively.

He last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, which was one of the three Majors he lifted that season, except for Wimbledon which he lost to Alcaraz in five sets. Since his 2023 US Open victory, Djokovic reached only one Grand Slam final, at the 2024 Wimbledon, losing again to the 21-year-old.

Djokovic, who received a bye in Madrid, will lock horns with the winner of the first-round match between Matteo Arnaldi and Borna Coric. He is projected to meet Alcaraz in the semifinals and World No.2 Alexander Zverev in the final.

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