Joao Fonseca enjoys full-circle win at “special” US Open

NEW YORK—Joao Fonseca made a winning return to his favorite major tournament on Monday, securing a first-round win in his main-draw debut over Miomir Kecmanovic, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-3.

“I think this is the Grand Slam I’ve played most: in juniors and the pros,” Fonseca mused in his post-match press conference. “I think the US Open is a special tournament for me. The first time, I lost first round and second time I won juniors. The third time, I played for the first time in qualies and reached the third round.

“Now, I’m in the main draw and reaching the second round. It’s a special tournament and I’m looking forward to doing great results.”

The 2023 junior champion has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season since stunning Andrey Rublev in the first round of the Australian Open as a qualifier, making the third round of the Miami Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon to make his Top 50 debut last month.

The Brazilian teenager is already a popular figure, playing in front of a packed Grandstand court and a football-like atmosphere.

“It’s just great seeing a lot of Brazilians cheering, calling my name and supporting. Sometimes they’ll go ‘Go Corinthians,’ or, ‘Go Flamengo,’ it’s just a Brazilian vibe and it’s super nice. I feel more like the vibe of the Brazilians, so it’s super cool.”

Fonseca edged through a pair of tiebreakers to claim a two-set lead over Kecmanovic, a former Top 30 player, and reeled off the final four games of the match to complete a box set of Grand Slam first-round victories in Flushing Meadows.

“The expectations are going to come. It’s inevitable,” said Fonseca, who is represented by Roger Federer’s Team8 agency. “The pressure will come always, so if I keep playing good, I’m going to increase my level and people are going to say more about me. I just need to focus on what I need to do, my routine and the work with my team, the day by day.

“I can’t focus on what people are saying or what the media is saying. I just need to focus on what I need to do to achieve great goals and achieve my dream, which is to become No. 1 and win Grand Slams.”

Fonseca got his first taste of the US Open’s pinnacle before the tournament began, competing on Arthur Ashe Stadium alongside fellow South American Juan Martin Del Potro at the Stars of the Open exhibition.

“It was the first time I played on that court,” beamed Fonseca, who will next face No, 21 seed Tomas Machac. “It’s just huge and just amazing. It was super crowded and I look forward to being on Arthur Ashe.”

Though he has proven plenty capable under the spotlight, the Rio native revealed he prefers quieter pursuits off the court, eschewing the bright lights of Times Square in favor of Central Park.

“I don’t actually like a lot of people in crowded places,” said Fonseca. “It’s difficult to walk and too much noise. For me, shopping one days is fine. It doesn’t have to be the whole week. But I feel like the more I can be in nature, that’s great.”

It will be no small feat for Fonseca to find peace in the midst of the most chaotic of the four major tournaments, but the youngster has risen to the occasion enough this season that it’s becoming increasingly risky to underestimate him.