Joao Fonseca Reveals Ranking Goal After After Winning 1st Match on Wimbledon Debut

Joao Fonseca has become the first 18-year-old to advance to the second round of Wimbledon since Alcaraz in 2021.

Joao Fonseca Reveals Ranking Goal After After Winning 1st Match on Wimbledon Debut

Joao Fonseca (Image via X/Tennis Channel)

Joao Fonseca will be hoping to have a great run on his Wimbledon debut. He played his first main draw match on June 30 against home favorite Jacob Fearnley, whom he defeated in straight sets.

It was his second consecutive win over the 23-year-old this year. Before the London Major, they locked horns for the first time in the first round of Indian Wells, which Fonseca won in three sets. Following his win, the Brazilian ace talked about his rankings goal. Fonseca is ranked 54th, his highest in his career. He wants to ensure that he is seeded in the next Grand Slam tournament.

I take it match by match, I don’t think too much about the ranking. Of course, I have an internal goal- to be seeded in the upcoming Grand Slams, this is my main objective. It’s a task that requires going week by week, focusing on each match, not on the results. If I can also play well, that’s great. If I play well and lose the match.

Reaching the second round took him to a career-best 51st spot in the live rankings. Fonseca has lifted just one ATP title this season. At the Argentina Open, the 18-year-old defeated home favorite Francisco Cerundolo to win his career’s first tour-level title. Apart from this, the youngster also lifted two Challenger trophies in Phoenix and Canberra.

Before arriving in London, Fonseca played two grass-court tournaments. At the Halle Open, he lost to Flavio Cobolli in his opening round, and then at the Eastbourne International, eventual champion Taylor Fritz knocked him out in the last 16.

Joao Fonseca has won his main draw matches on his every Grand Slam debut

Joao Fonseca made his Grand Slam debut at this year’s Australian Open after playing the qualifying rounds. After knocking out Andrey Rublev, Fonseca reached the second round only to lose to Lorenzo Sonego.

Joao Fonseca (2)
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/Wimbledon)

He then played in the French Open and there too, he secured wins. The 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals champion eliminated Hubert Hurkacz and Pierre-Hugues Herbert but lost in the third round to Jack Draper. And now, he has secured his main draw win on his Wimbledon debut as well.

It’s true, I debuted with victories in the big draws, although last year I lost several times in the Qualys of some Grand Slams. It doesn’t matter where you play, in the end, you have to go out there to win, but you have to really want it. In the end, we are playing a Grand Slam, it’s a great opportunity, there are only four each season, so every player wants to give it their all.

At the US Open last year, Fonseca failed to progress to the main draw after losing to Eliot Spizzirri in the third qualifying round. In the current tournament, Fonseca could set up a blockbuster clash with five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinal.

Fonseca, if he progresses to the last four, could meet three-time Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev or Taylor Fritz. In the championship match, he could meet World No.1 Jannik Sinner or 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Joao Fonseca will play Jenson Brooksby next

Fonseca’s second-round opponent is America’s Jenson Brooksby, who he will play for the first time in his career. Before scheduling the clash with Fonseca, the 24-year-old knocked out 31st seed Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets.

Joao Fonseca
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/TNT Sports)

Before arriving in London, the World No. 101 lost the Eastbourne Open final to Taylor Fritz. Like Fonseca, Brooksby too has won one title this year. He defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the final of the Houston Open.

Also read: Stefanos Tsitsipas Casts Huge Doubt on his Future After Retiring from his Opening Round at Wimbledon