Joao Fonseca Reveals How Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic Help Him Deal with ‘Bad Moments’

Joao Fonseca has set up a third-round French Open clash with Jack Draper and could meet Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

Joao Fonseca Reveals How Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic Help Him Deal with ‘Bad Moments’

Joao Fonseca, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (Image via X/Tenis Alem do Obvio, t2)

Joao Fonseca made his only second appearance at a Grand Slam main draw. After his Australian Open run (where he reached the second round), Fonseca produced his best Major performance by knocking out two-time French Open doubles champion Pierre-Hugues Herbert, booking a spot in the third round.

He has not yet dropped a set. Before the hard-fought match against the Frenchman, Fonseca breezed past Hubert Hurkacz to kick-start his French Open campaign. Following his 7-6(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over the home favorite, Fonseca said that he draws inspiration from the Big 3 (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer) during the pressure moments.

My coach talks to me a lot about body language. We see a lot of Rafa Nadal and Djokovic and Federer. Those guys, the body language they have is just incredible. We need to follow their steps. You need to stay positive. There’s gonna be bad moments. There’s gonna be good moments. You need to stay positive all the time. It’s one thing I practice a lot.

Joao Fonseca said at the press conference

Federer and Nadal have called time on their respective careers at the 2022 Laver Cup and the 2024 Davis Cup, respectively. While the 18-year-old will never get the chance to lock horns with them, he could set up a blockbuster clash with Djokovic in the semifinals.

The Serb entered the clay-court Major on the back of a successful run at the Geneva Open where he lifted his 100th ATP title, becoming the third man after Jimmy Connors and Federer to lift 100 or more titles. But before the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Fonseca could run into World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals. If Fonseca progresses to the championship match, he could set up a mouthwatering showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

John McEnroe makes his feelings known on Joao Fonseca’s match against Jack Draper

Joao Fonseca has set up a third-round clash with Jack Draper who had to toil hard to eliminate home favorite Gael Monfils in the previous round. Draper has dropped two sets in the tournament so far- against Monfils and his first-round opponent Mattia Bellucci. According to tennis great John McEnroe, Draper will once again have to deal with fans supporting his opponent.

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

He is going to bring the flair and also a lot of fans with him. It will be interesting to see where they put that match. It might be a bit annoying for Draper to have the crowd against him again but I think that is what is going to happen, especially if it’s on a small court. So he is going to have to rebound quickly.

John McEnroe told TNT Sports

Like Fonseca, Draper too has booked a berth in the French Open third round for the first time in his career. The British ace has met Fonseca once, in the second round of this year’s Indian Wells Masters which he went on to win by defeating Holger Rune. Draper then became a Madrid Open finalist but lost the match to three-time Grand Sam finalist Casper Ruud.

Draper’s best performance in a Grand Slam tournament came at the US Open where he reached the semifinal and lost to eventual winner Jannik Sinner. Fonseca is chasing his second title of his career after the Argentina Open which he lifted this February by beating home favorite Francisco Cerundolo. He is eyeing his second top-10 win. He secured his maiden top-10 win against Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.

Last year at the French Open, the 23-year-old got knocked out of the first round after a five-set defeat to Jesper de Jong. The winner of three singles titles has not yet won a clay-court title but has lifted one trophy on grass and two on hard courts.

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