Joao Fonseca Embraces Pressure and Comparison After Stunning Roland Garros Debut

Joao Fonseca will be locking horns with France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round of the French Open.

Joao Fonseca Embraces Pressure and Comparison After Stunning Roland Garros Debut

Joao Fonseca (Image via X/TNT Sports)

Joao Fonseca made a strong start on his debut at the French Open. On May 27th, with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, Fonseca breezed past Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who last week had lost a thrilling Geneva Open final to 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Since winning the Next Gen ATP Finals last year, Fonseca has only experienced growth in his career. He made his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open and reached the second round. A month later, he defeated home favorite Francisco Cerundolo to win his first ATP title at the Argentina Open.

Following his Indian Wells second-round exit, Fonseca won the Phoenix Challenger by beating Alexander Bublik. It was his second Challenger title of the season following Canberra in January.

Fonseca then lost the Miami Open third round to Alex de Minaur and after his Madrid Open exit, he was defeated in the Italian Open first round. He is expected to give tough competition to World No.1 Jannik Sinner and World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz and many feel these three players might form another formidable Big 3. Following the match against Hurkacz, the Brazilian sensation stated that he doesn’t want the pressure and expectation to affect his tennis.

Expectations will come and people will talk, compare me with others, with other players. For my mindset, it’s good to be with good people who help me stay focused, maintain the mindset I need. I need to do my best to improve my routines, be with good people, stay healthy, and not focus on expectations.

Joao Fonseca said at the press conference

Fonseca will next be locking horns with Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Before setting up the clash with Fonseca, the 34-year-old knocked out compatriot Benjamin Bonzi in the previous round.

Joao Fonseca reveals what he thinks is his biggest strength

For Joao Fonseca, his biggest strength is his mentality and it helps him deal with the pressure moments. After his first-round win, Fonseca explained why he finds the French Open atmosphere difficult.

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

There is a lot to improve. I can say maybe my forehand is my best skill, but overall, I think my mindset is very good. It’s difficult to play in this type of tournament with this atmosphere and with many expectations, so I would say my mindset is good. As I said, the pressure will come.

Joao Fonseca said at the press conference

If Fonseca reaches the third round, he would set up a clash with reigning Indian Wells champion Jack Draper, who went past Mattia Bellucci to set up a second-round clash with home favorite Gael Monfils. En route to lifting the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells, the Briton knocked out Fonseca in his opening round.

Joao Fonseca could meet Jannik Sinner at the French Open

If Fonseca reaches the quarterfinals, he could set up a blockbuster clash with Sinner, who was the semifinalist in the tournament last year. The three-time Grand Slam champion lost a five-set thriller against eventual winner Alcaraz, who became a French Open champion for the first time.

Joao Fonseca
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/#MMOpen)

Fonseca has never met the 23-year-old, who knocked out Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech to schedule a second-round clash with retiring Frenchman Richard Gasquet. The winner of the Sinner-Fonseca match could meet 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic last year’s French Open runner-up Alexander Zverev in the semifinal. If Fonseca advances to the final, he could meet Alcaraz or Lorenzo Musetti. Fonseca has never met these players before.

The Spaniard started his title defense by moving past Giulio Zeppieri but dropped a set in his second-round match against Fabian Marozsan. Musetti, on the other hand, went past Yannick Hanfmann and Daniel Elahi Galan in straight sets.

Also read: Coco Gauff Gives Insightful Reason About Roland Garros not Scheduling Any Women’s Matches During Night Session