Alex de Minaur assures no bad intentions with ‘Rio Open’ camera signature 

Alex de Minaur took on two opponents at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday: João Fonseca and the crowd. Each presented its own challenge for the Aussie, the first a physically demanding tennis match and the second a mental test as every fan in attendance put their energies towards the Brazilian teen.

Read More: Despite loss, João Fonseca electrifies Miami Open

Rallying from a set down, De Minaur's roar following Fonseca’s final error on match point was still barely heard over the chanting crowd. When it came to signing the honorary camera lens, the Aussie came up with two words to describe the match: ‘Rio Open:)’

Hours later, de Minaur assured fans on his Instagram story that there were no bad intentions behind the signature:

"Only spreading love out here!!!♥️ Possibly the loudest atmospheres I’ve ever played in and enjoyed the battle. Just out here giving props to the amazing support Joao has here in Miami." - Alex de Minaur on X

Read More: Novak Djokovic's warning about "future superstar” Joao Fonseca amid Miami breakthrough

“I knew that not only was I going to play an incredible talent in João, who is playing with immense confidence right now and with nothing to lose, but also playing against an incredible crowd which was going to be by his side from the first point to the last,” De Minaur said after the match.

“I knew it was going to be a dangerous combo, so the only option for me was to keep my head down, stay positive, fight til the end and ultimately show what I can do. One of my biggest strengths is my mentality, and that’s a big part of what got me the win today.”

Heading into the round of 16, de Minaur meets Matteo Berrettini for a fourth time on tour, with the head-to-head record leaning one match in favor of the Italian. While this is Berrettini’s first time in the round of 16 in Florida, this is the Aussie’s second consecutive appearance.

Not only are they meeting for a fourth time in the fourth round, but they’re also the fourth match to take Grandstand today, estimated start time 4:00pm ET. Watch as one will enter the quarterfinals for the first time here, and tune into all the Miami Open action on Tennis Channel here.