Fonseca already savors his duel against Alcaraz: "It will be a great indicator of the place I currently hold"

Joao Fonseca has been one of the main protagonists of Thursday's action at the Miami Open 2026. The Brazilian faced a tough challenge in his debut against Fabian Marozsan, with the pressure of having the enthusiastic Brazilian crowd on his side. With a steady hand in the final set, he secured a crucial victory, setting up a bigger challenge ahead: a second-round match against Carlos Alcaraz.

It will be the first time he faces the world number one in an official match, coming off a showdown with Jannik Sinner at Indian Wells, a test where he showcased composure and came close to taking a set off the Italian. What does it mean for him to confront the other dominant player on the tour? How prepared does he feel for such a match? These were not the only insights Joao shared on Tennis Channel, as he also reflected on the aspects of his game he is focusing on improving and whether the support from his compatriots could potentially have a double-edged effect.

What does Joao Fonseca think of his upcoming duel with Alcaraz? Here's his take on the match against the world number one

- Impressive victory against Marozsan, who defeated him in Rome last year, a match he had in mind

"Yes, it was a great match. The first round is always tough, especially against someone who beat me last year. I know the conditions and surface were different, but that loss had stayed in my mind. I really wanted to win. I started very well, remained solid, got an early break which helped relieve some pressure. In the second set, he managed an early break and started playing more aggressively, going for his shots. That made me tighten up a bit. In the third set, the crowd's support helped me tremendously. He got tense on his serve, and I started serving very well. I'm happy I kept mentally strong throughout the match."

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- Maintaining focus and not getting carried away despite the incredible support and noise from Brazilian fans

"Yes, sometimes it's a bit hard not to get swept up by the adrenaline. Miami is a very special place for me. I know the Brazilian support here is huge, somewhat similar to what I feel in Rio, albeit on another level. I saw many Brazilian shirts, numerous flags from our country. In a way, there's a bit of extra pressure, but when I step on the court, I know I have their backing. It doesn't matter if I'm winning or losing; they're there supporting me. That gave me great energy. At times, the noise is deafening, not only for my opponent but also for me, and I love it. I love playing in such atmospheres, although maintaining equilibrium is not always easy."

- The tournament director said they would always put him on the Center Court for that support, how do you deal with something like that?

"Playing often on center courts is something I'm still getting used to, but it helps me more than it hinders, of course. I love these environments. I'm still the 40th in the world, so I know that if they put me on the main stage, it's because many Brazilians come to cheer, there are many kids – it's fantastic. This is also good for tennis, seeing so many people supporting this way."

- What aspects is he working on to make the leap to the next level

"I'm working on becoming a more solid player, putting more pressure on the opponent during return games. I'm also learning to consistently play against the best, without many fluctuations because sometimes I have very good games and then some very bad ones, so I need to be more steady. The difference, at least for me right now, is one more on serve and one more on return. We are focusing a lot on that aspect. In recent matches, I've also placed a lot of emphasis on my serve. I feel it's evolving, but there's still a lot of room for improvement."

- Now, facing Carlos Alcaraz: first official encounter with him

"I'm very motivated, eager – it will be a special match. Just my second year on the tour, being able to face the world number two, Jannik, and now the world number one, Carlos, is special. It's a way to see where I stand right now. How close can I be to them? I love playing against the best and learning how they play, how they handle pressure. It'll be a special moment for me, no doubt, and a great opportunity. I'll step on the court, enjoy as much as I can, and, of course, try to win." 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fonseca ya saborea su duelo ante Alcaraz: "Será un gran indicador sobre qué lugar ocupo ahora mismo"