March 9 2026 - Joao Fonseca The Big T 1resize

Episode 10 of The Big T, a Tennis Channel podcast, is available to listen on your favorite streaming platforms—click here for the latest drop.

You can also watch specific segments and bonus content from every episode on the Tennis Channel app—click here and start digging in!

Once again, the hosts fired up the mics from Indian Wells. Who would want to leave Tennis Paradise? Not only that, but Coco Vandweghe, Brad Gilbert and Chris Eubanks posted up at the tournament's Paradise Pavilion in front of a live audience—and left a seat open for a very special guest.

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Fonseca came to the set following a third-round win over American Tommy Paul. "It was a great atmosphere, both sides," said the 19-year-old.

Fonseca came to the set following a third-round win over American Tommy Paul. "It was a great atmosphere, both sides," said the 19-year-old.

🎤 Joao Fonseca, welcome to the show

Fonseca found himself in the spotlight throughout the BNP Paribas Open. He ultimately fell in the fourth round—to Jannik Sinner, in two ultra-competitive sets—but this performance has the feel of one that could truly kickstart his season.

"First months of the year, I was struggling a bit with injury, and getting back with rhythm," said Fonseca, who came into Indian Wells just 1-3.

He seemed to find that rhythm in the desert. After a first-round win over Raphael Collignon, the unseeded Brazilian took out No. 16 seed Karen Khachanov—saving two match points in the process.

“Those are the victories we look for on tour. Saved match points, had ups and downs, got through and fought a lot,” Fonseca told Prakash Amritraj after that match on Tennis Channel.

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Joao Fonseca on saving match points against Karen Khachanov | Indian Wells Interview

From there, Fonseca put together a sterling, 6-2, 6-3 win over Tommy Paul, setting up a Stadium 1 showdown with Sinner, under the lights. The scores say he lost in straights, but his 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) effort proves not only that Fonseca rediscovered his form, but that he could be a true rival to the Italian down the road.

"I think the most different thing from, I don't know, a Top 50 guy and a Top 10 guy is the consistency," said Fonseca. "The level is pretty similar, but...making results every week, getting onto the court with not playing well and trying to get the win is just such a big thing."

I'm trying to get as much experience as I can in my second year playing the big tournaments, and trying to understand how the the top players play and how to do daily. Joao Fonseca on The Big T

Here's what else Fonseca had to say while in the spotlight of a live audience—on the mic, rather than on the court:

⚽️ How he thinks Brazil will fare in this summer's World Cup: "We have a good team. Unfortunately, Rodrygo, the Real Madrid, player, he injured himself and he's not going, but well, we have a good team. It's always good.

"I'm a huge fan of World Cup. I know I'm a little bit young. I didn't see so many, but it's always good. My family's always into sports, so, it's gonna be great and hopefully Brazil can do it well."

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Wherever Fonseca goes, yellow-clad supporters follow.

Wherever Fonseca goes, yellow-clad supporters follow.

🌎 What it was like playing for Andre Agassi, captain of Team World, at last year's Laver Cup: "It was a pleasure, not only Andre but Pat [Rafter], huge guys. I mean, first I was going there just to play, to see how it is, to deal with, well, the week with the very good players. I was just a teenager there, just trying to get as much experience as I can, and it was a very good experience for me.

"I keep in touch a little bit with Andre. He's a nice guy. He went to the Rio Open this year as well. Yeah, we are seeing each other on tour more and more."

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🔮 What his future holds: "Laver Cup was a good experience for me to see things that players, the big players, do that I want to do, and things that the big players do that I don't think is right. So it's good to see those kind of things and try to make my own path."

For more from Fonseca, listen to the full show at TheBigT.com, or on your favorite streaming platforms.

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