Wunderkind Joao Fonseca lights up Roland Garros on mum's birthday, gets emotional
Eighteen-year-old Joo Fonseca reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career, delivering a mesmerising display of power and poise. The Brazilian wunderkind, widely tipped as the next big thing in men's singles tennis, wowed a packed Court 14 crowd with his electric court coverage and ferocious hitting, defeating local favourite Pierre-Hugues Herbert 7-6(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 on Thursday, 29 May.advertisementWhile Fonseca was all energy and intensity on court, his emotions spilled over in a touching post-match interview with a Brazilian broadcaster. The teenager revealed it was his mother's birthday and that she was in the stands, accompanied by his grandmother. Unable to hold back the tears, he broke down as he expressed heartfelt thanks to his parents for their unwavering support. | French Open Day 5 Highlights |'I saw my grandmother—it was my mother's birthday—and for me, it's already a dream to be in the third round,' Fonseca said, voice cracking as the broadcaster offered a comforting hand.
Despite facing a partisan French crowd that was fervently cheering for Herbert, Fonseca remained unfazed. Though a handful of Brazilian supporters were present, they were vastly outnumbered in Paris. Yet, it was Fonseca who put on a masterclass.advertisementWith precision and boundless energy, the teenager unleashed a series of jaw-dropping passing shots and thunderous forehand winners that left Herbert scrambling. Even his backhand returns carried an edge rarely seen in someone so young—strikingly sharp and relentlessly consistent.Fonseca balanced flair with focus, engaging with the crowd and even dancing to their chants at times, but never losing sight of the task at hand. He clinched the first two sets in tight tie-breaks before elevating his level in the third, sealing the victory in two hours and 54 minutes.First time in a Grand Slam R3 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/zNAutXGsG4— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2025Having already won an ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires just months after making his Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open, Fonseca has yet to drop a set in Paris. His passionate fanbase has brought a touch of samba flair to Roland Garros, hoping their star continues his dream run.After the match, Fonseca handed out towels and sweatbands, took selfies with fans, and shared heartfelt moments with those already sensing they're witnessing the rise of a future star.Even the King of Clay himself took notice. Rafael Nadal, speaking after an emotional tribute earlier in the week, praised the young Brazilian:advertisement'He's a very young player who's started his career very, very well. He has a great future in front of him. I wish him all the best. I've met him a couple of times—he seems to have a great relationship with his family and those around him. He's very well-educated, and I truly believe he has a bright future ahead.'Fonseca will now face his toughest test yet in the third round at Roland Garros, taking on the winner of the second-round clash between fifth seed Jack Draper and local showman Gal Monfils. (With Reuters Inputs)
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