-
1 hour ago
Australian Open 2025
Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne Park
Coverage: Live radio commentary on Tennis Breakfast from 07:00 GMT on BBC 5 Sports Extra, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app
Joao Fonseca had a Grand Slam debut to remember as he knocked out ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the first round of the Australian Open.
The 18-year-old Brazilian thrilled the crowd as he caused the biggest upset of the tournament so far with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-6 (7-5) victory against Rublev.
Fonseca was playing in his first main-draw match at a major, having come through three rounds of qualifying without dropping a set in Melbourne last week.
The victory extends his winning streak to 14 matches – but who is tennis’ latest rising star?
‘Like Roger said, talent is not enough’
Fonseca was ranked 730th in the world at the start of 2024, but by the end of the year he had surged up the rankings into the top 150.
He captured tennis fans’ attention with quarter-final runs at the ATP 500 event in his home city of Rio de Janeiro and at the ATP 250 in Bucharest.
The teenager truly established himself as one of the best newcomers by winning December’s Next Gen ATP Finals – an event for the best male players aged 21 and under.
Current world number one Jannik Sinner, who won the tournament in 2019, is the only player to have lifted the title at a younger age than Fonseca.
In fact, it was Sinner who convinced Fonseca to turn professional when he was a hitting partner for the Italian at the 2023 ATP Finals.
Fonseca’s showing against Rublev proved his potential, as he took charge with his powerful forehand and fired home 51 winners to the Russian’s 33.
“I just enjoyed every moment on this amazing court, it’s my first time playing in a huge stadium,” Fonseca said.
Fonseca is just the second teenager since 1973 to beat a top-10 opponent at their maiden Grand Slam, after Mario Ancic beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2002.
Asked in his on-court interview how much money it would cost to have his talent, Fonseca referenced 20-time major winner Federer, replying: “Like Roger said, talent is not enough without hard work.
“My idol was always Roger, I grew up watching Roger. Everyone wanted to play like him and I even tried when I was younger the one-handed [backhand] for one week.”
Fonseca will meet Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, who is ranked 57 places higher, in the second round on Thursday.
“Of course my expectations are bigger now,” Fonseca said. “I want more and more, I think that is the mentality of champions.”
Rublev suffers earliest Melbourne exit since 2019
During his first-round defeat by Francisco Comesana at last year’s Wimbledon, Rublev repeatedly smashed his racquet against his leg until it bled.
Earlier this month, the 27-year-old told the Guardian he had struggled with his mental health following the defeat and had started working with a psychologist after listening to advice from two-time major winner Marat Safin.
Well known for his outbursts on court, Rublev appeared to have his emotions in check on Tuesday until his frustrations came to the fore in the third-set tie-break, when he smashed his racquet in frustration as Fonseca drew closer to victory.
However, the 10-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist had a smile on his face as he congratulated Fonseca with a warm embrace at the net.
It is the first time Rublev – a former runner-up at the Next Gen Finals – has lost in the Australian Open first round since 2019.
