“I’m on the right path,” Joao Fonseca says he’s excited with the “new experiences” despite suffering defeat in Miami

Joao Fonseca succumbed to a disappointing 7-5, 5-7, 3-6 defeat against Alex de Minaur in the third round of the Miami Open.

“I’m on the right path,” Joao Fonseca says he’s excited with the “new experiences” despite suffering defeat in Miami

Joao Fonseca at Miami Open press conference (Image via Getty)

Joao Fonseca left a long-lasting impression at the Miami Open in his debut at the ATP Masters tournament. The 18-year-old has continued to flourish this season, despite not having the final cutting edge. Following his third round exit in Miami, he believes that he’s in the right direction to becoming the player he hopes to be.

Fonseca arrived in Florida at the back of winning his third title of the season at the Phoenix Challenger. The 18-year-old bagged an impressive win over fellow teenager Learner Tien in the first set before stunning 19th seed and Marseille champion Ugo Humbert in the second round of the ATP 1000 tournament.

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He then faced Australian Open quarter-finalist Alex de Minaur in the third round. The Brazilian teenager won the first set after an error-stricken display from his opponent. But the Aussie bounced back in the second and then finalized the comeback in the third.

Despite Fonseca’s efforts, he vowed out 7-5, 5-7, 3-6 in two hours and 31 minutes. After the loss, Fonseca was asked how he felt losing to another top player like he did in Indian Wells again Jack Draper. He revealed that he believes he’s in the right direction despite not being able to beat them.

Once again, I faced the top players, which helped me gauge my level. I truly see that I’m on the right path, playing several matches against the best, that’s where I want to be. I’m leaving happy with how I played those matches, both against Ugo (Humbert) and against Learner (Tien), the upcoming American prospect. Today against Alex, I played a good match; it was a matter of details, I had my chances. It’s my second year on the circuit, so new experiences keep coming.

Joao Fonseca said via Miami Open Press

Fonseca already has a Top 10 win in his career, and that came at the Australian Open when he defeated Andrey Rublev in the first set. The Brazilian teenager will now look to regroup and aim higher in the European clay swing.

Joao Fonseca a bit frustrated after he failed to seize on his opportunities against Alex de Minaur

Joao Fonseca might not have beaten Alex de Minaur in their third round match, but he had the chance to do so. The Brazilian teenager was leading 5-4 in the second set and failed to seize the opportunity to end the match, which led de Minaur to claim the victory. During the aforementioned press conference, he revealed that he was a bit frustrated about that.

Joao Fonseca (2)
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Those are the moments when the opportunity arises, but I couldn’t seize it. Sometimes you get a bit frustrated, but it happens all the time, that’s tennis, there will always be moments like this. I don’t think I played poorly today; the difference was in mentality.

Joao Fonseca said

However, De Minaur now has a chance of reaching the Miami Open quarter-finals as he’s set to face Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round. The Aussie will hope to Polish his game and find the needed victory against the Bulgarian.

Joao Fonseca says playing in Miami Open felt as though he was playing in his home country

Joao Fonseca shared a deep connection with the Miami Open crowd. The Brazilian teenager continued to thrill fans in attendance for his matches and must have left find memories after failing to advance to the fourth round of the ATP Masters tournament. He revealed that he felt like he was playing in Brazil.

Joao Fonseca
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/@Alejandro Lopez Fernandez)

The impression I had here was like playing in Brazil, really. We’re not just talking about the crowd; the organization treated me as if I were in Brazil, so it has been a great experience, I really like this tournament. Probably now it’s one of my favorite tournaments.

Joao Fonseca said

Fonseca claimed his first ATP career title at the Argentina Open in February. However, he failed to replicate the same form at the Rio Open in Brazil, losing to Alexander Muller in the first round.