Fonseca: "I want to face Djokovic before he retires"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 23 Apr 2025 | 11.21

Joao Fonseca wishes to duel with Djokovic. Photo: gettyimages

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Maximum expectation surrounds Joao Fonseca in every tournament he plays. The young Brazilian, a raw diamond in the global tennis scene, exudes talent and charisma both on and off the court. Each of his interviews is a good opportunity to grasp his idiosyncrasy.

Just hours before beginning his journey at the Mutua Madrid Open 2025, where he aims to improve upon his second-round record from last year, Joao Fonseca chatted with ESPN and granted an exclusive interview to rolandgarros.com. In this interview, he delved into truly interesting aspects such as self-perception, objectives, and aspirations that drive him. He will kick off his journey at the Caja Mágica with Elmer Moller, one of the most in-form players on the Challenger circuit who has advanced through the qualifying rounds of the Madrid tournament.

"I see myself evolving a lot and rapidly. I feel very comfortable on clay; I have developed my tennis skills on this surface and have great confidence in my game. I continue to work hard to become the world number 1, which is my ultimate dream. However, I know there is a long road ahead, and I have to take it step by step. I need to live experiences that help me continue building myself as a tennis player. In the short term, I would love to reach the third round of Roland Garros 2025; I believe that is my main goal at the moment," he affirmed.

The first quarter of the year for Fonseca has been as successful as it has been exhausting, prompting him to take a few weeks off before embarking on this clay court tour. "I started the season earlier than others by competing in the NextGen Finals. After the Miami tournament, I felt the need to pause and take some time to be with my loved ones, recharge my energy, and reflect on all that I have achieved. These weeks of training at home have been important," he commented before elaborating on what he believes are his greatest strengths.

- Joao Fonseca believes that his maturity sets him apart from other young tennis players.

"I don't want to sound arrogant, but I consider myself very mature for my age. My parents and my team always tell me that I grasp what they say very quickly and internalize it naturally, something uncommon for people my age. For instance, I clearly saw the consistency and work ethic required to make the leap to professionalism, and I have been very responsible since the moment I decided to become a professional tennis player. I think my maturity is what sets me apart," says a man who is a mass idol.

Indeed, there is a widespread fever in the tennis world for Joao Fonseca, both for his playing style and for his innate ability to engage fans and evoke emotions on the court. "I believe people like me because they see how aggressive I am and that I have the necessary courage to be brave in crucial moments and go for the point," declared the Brazilian, who was asked about his desire to face Novak Djokovic.

"Every time I go to an important tournament, I tell my coach that I hope I face Djokovic. The result would be the least important; I would try to enjoy every minute on the court to the fullest. What I enjoy most is challenging the best in the world; I relish those challenges because I play without pressure. I want to compete against the most iconic tennis players globally, and I know that with Novak, maybe there won't be many opportunities to do so," affirmed Joao Fonseca, who could meet the Serbian in the quarterfinals of the Mutua Madrid Open 2025.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fonseca: "Quiero enfrentarme a Djokovic antes de que se retire"