Fonseca: "Everything is going very fast, but I worked hard to get here"

No matter what happens, Joao Fonseca will never forget this week at the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires. This will be the place where the Brazilian contests his first final on the professional circuit, although it is no coincidence that it has happened on clay and during the tour that is closest to his home. Before facing Pedro Martínez or Fran Cerúndolo tomorrow, we heard the 18-year-old tennis player express himself in the press conference room, captivating the audience.

First ATP final before Federer

"Every player has their time. It doesn’t mean anything that I reached my first final at a younger age than Federer did. It doesn’t imply that I will be like him. These comparisons, for me, mean nothing; each player seeks to write their own story. At the moment, I am crafting a good story; I am still new and very young, so I focus on enjoying it. I hope to write a beautiful story over time."

What does success mean?

"For me, succeeding is related to enjoying what you do, this sport, every aspect of your work. Succeeding is being good at what you are doing, but always doing it with charisma and love. That's what I aim for in tennis, a sport I have loved since always, that’s why I put all the affection and love on the court. I believe that is success; not only winning matches but also working hard and doing your job with love."

Winning over the Argentine audience

"Regarding the Argentine people... I have always admired players like Nadal, Federer, or Guga, who, competing in front of different audiences, managed to win them over. This is something I try to do, hoping that the Argentine audience and the rest of the world will like it. This is who I am; I try to channel that charisma for entertainment, with a lot of love on the court."

Reaction after the second set

"At the end of the second set, I was a little tired, that’s true, but I think he was too. There was a lot of tension at that moment; it was a semifinal; I had some discomfort, so I had to give it everything. Of course, I was tired, but another set had to be won, so there was no other choice."

Possible opponent in the final

"Whoever wins, it will surely be a great final; neither reached this semifinal by chance; both have had a great week and displayed a high level of tennis. Whoever it is, it will be a great match, so I want to enjoy it, just like my opponent. It will be a great battle; I will try to give my best, whether facing an Argentine or a Spaniard. I have no preference for either."

Unstoppable rise

"Obviously, it is a bit surprising, but any boy my age works to achieve these things, although each person has their pace. I worked hard to get here, so I expect a higher ranking position every time. Yes, I can say that everything happened very fast; I have to get used to all these new situations, but I am enjoying it a lot."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fonseca: “Está yendo todo muy rápido, pero trabajé duro para llegar aquí”