Joao Fonseca is all set to become the first Brazilian to compete at the Next Gen ATP Finals! This 18-year-old lad had a remarkable season this year. He started the season ranking 730th in the world and ended the season inside the Top 150. His most impressive performance in this season came in Rio de Janeiro in February where he reached the QF. Joao Fonseca has now become one of the fastest-rising names in tennis, but who’s his tennis idol? During a previous interview, he revealed that Roger Federer is his tennis idol. He recently expressed his wish to be Federer at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships final.

Speaking about his admiration for Roger Federer during a previous interview, Fonseca said, “As a child I always watched a lot of Roger Federer matches. He was the player I enjoyed watching the most because he always made tennis look easy. He is an idol for me.” Earlier this year in an interview with UOL, he even revealed, “When I was younger, I wore every Federer shirt possible. I was a big fan of him. My family has always been. My mother is a fanatic about him.” 

Joao Fonseca’s incredible rise to this level received huge support from Roger Federer. The Swiss’ guidance has undoubtedly played a significant role in the young player’s success. Additionally, Fonseca’s partnership with Roger Federer’s ‘On‘ also added a layer of support and built a strong foundation for his career, allowing him to focus on the game and reach new heights. Recently, during an interview with atptour.com, the youngster was asked if there was any particular match that he remembers watching from years gone by on TV, that he wished he could’ve played.

In reply to that, Joao Fonseca said, “The one in 2019, when Roger had match point against [Novak] Djokovic at Wimbledon. I wish I would be Roger, so I could make an ace at 40/15 [on championship point]. I want to change history!” Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer by 7-6(5),1-6,7-6(4),4-6,13-12(3). Do you know it was the longest Wimbledon final in history? It lasted for almost 4 hours and 57 minutes and it was also the last final of Federer’s career. The match has been called the ‘War of 13-12′.

However, despite being a big Roger Federer fan, he once revealed that he had skipped Roger Federer’s 2019 Wimbledon epic against Novak Djokovic. During that interview, we heard him say, “I wasn’t much of a game watcher. For example, I didn’t watch the [2019] Wimbledon final between Federer and Djokovic. I didn’t like watching tennis. Yes. I regret it a lot, but I didn’t really like watching tennis.“ What do Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic think of that epic match, though?

“Incredible opportunity missed” – Roger Federer’s honest take on the disappointing loss at the 2019 Wimbledon Final

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have met each other 50 times in their careers. However, the final match at the 2019 Wimbledon Final stands tall among the rest. It was one of the most memorable matches in this epic rivalry. Recently, during an interview, Novak Djokovic was seen recalling some of the moments from that “most nerve-wracking match” of his career.

Djokovic said, “It was a match in which he [Federer] was the better player statistically. He won more points and he just had all the stats on his side. But I just found a way to win in important moments and to play the right shots at the right time.” It was pure drama in the end! Reflecting more on that, he added, “At 40-15 down I just tried to make him play and make him earn his victory. He came to the net. I made a passing shot and second match point and he got tight a little bit and I used my momentum. Again it was a very close one very close match, probably the most nerve-wracking match I was ever part of.” What was Roger Federer’s reaction to the disappointing result, though?

After the match, Federer said, “I don’t know what I feel right now. I just feel like it’s such an incredible opportunity missed, I can’t believe it. It is what it is.” Then, even in June this year, the ‘Swiss Maestro‘ was seen revisiting those moments from the 2019 Wimbledon Final. He said, “I lost that match, but I think that if I had won, my life wouldn’t have changed anything. As a child, I dreamed of one day playing at Wimbledon Central and winning the tournament. I didn’t expect to win it eight times and have so much success around the world.” There are lots of ifs and buts featuring this epic match in the tennis world, but what are your thoughts on the ‘War of 13-12′?