Novak Djokovic reserves special praise for ‘complete player’ Joao Fonseca after Brazilian breaks Carlos Alcaraz’s record in Miami
Novak Djokovic could schedule his first clash with Joao Fonseca if both of them progress to the Miami Open final.
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Novak Djokovic, Joao Fonseca (Image via X/Wolfy, @Alejandro Lopez Fernandez)
Novak Djokovic will turn 38 this May and in the next few years (or months), he could join his longtime rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the retirement list. With his retirement, the Big 3 era will finally come to an end.
But, the two young Grand Slam champions, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, have ensured that tennis is in good hands. Joao Fonseca too has created a ripple in the tennis world, and he is expected to form another Big 3 along with Alcaraz and Sinner.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion often spoke too highly of Fonseca, who is in Miami to chase his first ATP Masters 1000 title. The Serb, a six-time Miami Open champion, inched closer to breaking the tie with Andre Agassi with a record seventh title in Florida. Following his victory over Argentina’s unseeded Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Djokovic explained why he thinks Fonseca, despite his age, is a complete player.
He’s been talk of the Tour in the last several months. I mean, deservedly so. He’s a very good tennis player. I mean, so young. Just incredible firepower from both ends of the baseline, serve. He’s a very complete player.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference
Fonseca lifted his first ATP title at the Argentina Open and arrived in Miami after winning the Phoenix Challenger. He went past Learner Tien and Ugo Humbert, breaking Alcaraz’s record by reaching the third round. The 18-year-old became the youngest man to advance to the stage at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Of course, what is impressive is the way he strikes the ball, but even more so is how he handles the nerves on the court for someone that doesn’t have experience at all playing at the highest level.
Novak Djokovic added
Fonseca will face Alex de Minaur next. The Australian, who is 1-1 against the teenager, knocked out Yunchaokete Bu in the second round.
Novak Djokovic creates history at Miami Open
The win over Camilo Ugo Carabelli was Novak Djokovic‘s record 411th victory in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. It came after almost 20 years following his first win in the same category back in 2005 in Paris. Before this match, Djokovic was tied with Rafael Nadal with 410 wins.
I’m honored to have another milestone, another record broken. There’s always something on the line pretty much every time I play, and of course that motivates me to do well at tournaments.
Novak Djokovic said during his on-court interview
The 40-time ATP Masters 1000 winner has a 411-91 win-loss record in this category. At the Miami Open, he is bidding to win his first Masters 1000 title since the 2023 Paris Masters.
Novak Djokovic will face Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round
Djokovic will play a seeded player for the first time in this Miami Open. His fourth-round opponent is 15th seed Lorenzo Musetti, who came from a set down to eliminate 18th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Djokovic has faced the Italian eight times and holds a 7-1 head-to-head lead. The only time Musetti came out on top was in the 2023 Monte Carlo Masters’ fourth round. In their last meeting, Djokovic beat the 23-year-old in the semifinal at the 2024 Paris Olympics before reaching the final and winning the gold medal.
Djokovic hasn’t yet won an official title since that victory; while in ATP events, he last lifted a title at the 2023 ATP Finals. Although he is a six-time Miami Open champion, he hasn’t yet won the title since 2016, and he also appeared in the tournament for the first time since 2019.
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