Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca kicked off his French Open run with an impressive 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory over 30th seed Hubert Hurkacz on Court Seven, cheered on by a lively and packed crowd. After the match, the 18-year-old credited the strong Brazilian support to the lasting influence of tennis icon Gustavo Kuerten.
Kuerten, a three-time French Open champion (1997, 2000, 2001), remains a beloved figure in Brazilian tennis, and Fonseca acknowledged his role in building a loyal fan base at Roland Garros.
“I knew there would be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris, many living here, and they always show up in big numbers,” Fonseca told reporters. “I think it’s because of Guga—he created a tradition, and now there are a lot of Brazilians who love this tournament.”
A rising talent on the ATP Tour, Fonseca made headlines in January with a stunning upset over ninth seed Andrey Rublev in his Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open. The following month, he became the youngest Brazilian ever to win an ATP title by capturing the Argentina Open.
Despite the growing attention and rising expectations, Fonseca said he remains focused on personal growth. “Sometimes pressure comes—it’s normal,” he said. “You just have to learn to deal with it.”
Fonseca will face a different atmosphere in the second round on Thursday, as he takes on local favorite Pierre-Hugues Herbert, likely without the same home crowd advantage.
