Imagine going from rank 727 to the top 70. That’s Joao Fonseca‘s reality. While he’s trying to stay grounded, his talent is undeniable. The 18-year-old sensation transitioned into the ongoing season on the back of a title finish at the ATP Next Gen Finals in December last year. However, his most stunning result came at the Australian Open, where he shocked World No. 8 Andrey Rublev in the opening round. People are losing their minds. And even Alexander Zverev’s chiming in on his future.

Fonseca arrived in the Californian desert for his first appearance at the Indian Wells Masters. The Brazilian player is fresh off his Argentina Open win – his first ATP title – but will enter the Sunshine Double after suffering a loss to Alexandre Muller in the Round of 32 of the Rio Open. The young rising star’s high-profile debut, sooner or later, was bound to be addressed by his competitors.

During a pre-tournament presser ahead of his Round of 64 showdown, the top-seeded player divulged his thoughts on Fonseca. “He’s very young, very, very talented, he’s going to be a great player, for sure. I think he can be top 10 and maybe even further than that. But yeah, I think when you’re young, you’re kind of swinging freely, you’re enjoying your time on the professional circuit for the first time, and there is no pressure. So, yeah, I like what I’m seeing from him. I think he’s a great player.”

Earlier this year in Melbourne, Serbian Novak Djokovic met Fonseca for the first time and seemingly recognised his potential. “I’ve been following his rise, and I just love how he plays the big points. Courageous, very clean hitter, all-around player.” Moreover, the Serb’s coach and three-time Slam winner, Andy Murray, is also a fan of the Brazilian. Following his victory in Buenos Aires, the Brit took to X and said, “Can’t wait for the first Fonseca vs Alcaraz match.”

Joao Fonseca, currently ranked No. 68, displayed his talent from a young age. At 17, he won the 2023 US Open junior title and finished the year as the top-ranked junior. He debuted on the ATP tour in Rio de Janeiro in 2023, and a year later, he secured his first ATP wins at the same event, reaching the quarter-finals by defeating Arthur Fils and Cristian Garin. Initially committed to the University of Virginia, he ultimately chose to turn professional, announcing his decision on Instagram.

And now, Fonseca is clear about his goals and is looking to establish a strong footing on the ATP.

Joao Fonseca is thrilled for a fun outing at the Indian Wells Masters

He confirmed the update on Instagram and explained “It was an incredibly tough decision for me and my family as I have been dreaming about living a college life in Charlottesville, playing the sport that l love with a wonderful team and coach, but, in the last months, professional tennis called me in a way that I simply couldn’t say no.”

In 2024, Joao Fonseca revealed that Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, encouraged him to turn professional during a hitting partnership at the previous year’s ATP Finals. Sinner advised him, “You are too good for this, go to pros,” which Fonseca initially thought was a joke. By the end of 2024, Fonseca, ranked 145, won the Next Gen Finals, defeating Learner Tien. He was the youngest and lowest-ranked player in the tournament. And now, the explosive Brazilian is all set to do some more damage in Indian Wells.

He told the reporters ahead of his opening round showcase: “I’m trying to improve my game and make progress through the ATP ranking list so I can enter Masters 1000 and ATP 500 tournaments. My team and I are working hard to get me in a position to play alongside the rivals from the top. It feels fantastic to be here in Indian Wells. Playing at such a big tournament is the goal of every player, and I want to thank the organizers for this opportunity.”

“People call this event the fifth major, and I’m here to enjoy,” he added. Fonseca will lock horns with Jacob Fearnley in his debut match at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday, March 7.