Joao Fonseca was 'cheering for Roger Federer' in Wimbledon 2019 final, reveals Carlos Alcaraz talk ahead of Jacob Fearnley first-round clash
By Matt Jones
Updated 29/06/2025 at 20:12 GMT+1
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Joao Fonseca says it will be a "dream come true" to make his Wimbledon debut this week. The Brazilian faces Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley on Court 1 on the opening day of the tournament. Aged just 18, he is one of the rising stars of the world game. And ahead of the iconic tournament getting underway, he has been talking about what makes SW19 so special, while picking his favourite memories.
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On the eve of his Wimbledon debut, rising star Joao Fonseca has been reflecting on his favourite memories of the famous tournament.
The 18-year-old Brazilian will face British hopeful Jacob Fearnley in the first round on Monday.
It will be the first time he has played in the main draw at SW19, and comes after an impressive twelve months in which he has climbed to a career-high of 54th in the world rankings.
A good run at Wimbledon would only improve his standing, and he cannot wait to step out on to Court 1.
"For me this tournament is a dream," he said. "Everything you can see is perfect. Even the flowers.
"Every detail is just perfect. When you come here, you just see how amazing it is.
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"It's for sure my favourite grand slam because of the culture and the history of Wimbledon. Every kid that plays tennis and wants to be a professional wants to come here.
And asked to recall a moment from the tournament that had stayed with him, he responded: "For me, the biggest moment was when I watched Federer and Djokovic, the final where Federer lost in 2019.
"That's what I remember. I was cheering for Federer."
Fonseca heads into the tournament on the back of reaching the third round at the French Open before losing to Jack Draper, his best performance at a grand slam.
He has also lifted his first ATP Tour title this year, a 250 event in Argentina, while he rounded off 2024 by landing the ATP Next Gen crown.
Crucially, this will not be the Brazilian's first taste of the Wimbledon grass courts, either.
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Joao Fonseca in action at Eastbourne
Image credit: Getty Images
In 2023, he reached the semi-finals of the boys' doubles event before losing to the eventual winners Jakub Filip and Gabriele Vulpitta.
Preparations for the tournament have not gone completely to plan, suffering a second-round exit at Eastbourne to Taylor Fritz, who would go on to lift a record-extending fourth title.
But Fonseca believes he is getting better each time he steps on to the surface, as he continued: "I would say every year that I play, I'm getting more experience on the grass.
"It's very different from the other surface. Of course, I'm liking it. I'm playing good. Doing some great matches.
"On grass you need to focus a lot more on your service games and the opportunities that you have. The last two matches that I lost, it was very detailed. But I'm feeling good. I'm playing some good tennis."
A huge travelling contingent of Brazilian fans are expected to be at SW19 in support of Fonseca.
They have high hopes that the teenager can emulate fellow-countryman Gustavo Kuerten - who was three times a French Open winner - in becoming a Grand Slam champion.
The draw has not been particularly kind though, with 31st seed Tallon Griekspoor or Eastbourne runner-up Jenson Brooksby lying in wait in the second round, should Fonseca defeat Fearnley.
Fonseca warmed up for his opener by hitting with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, and shared what the pair discussed.
"Just talking about life," the Brazilian said. "Of course, about tennis some things, but more about life.
"You don't normally have this opportunity to ask some things, not only to him but for his coach or brother, whatever, about his life, where is his base or everything.
"Yeah, I was just asking him more questions than I usually ask. Yeah, it was a nice training and a nice talk."
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Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca interact during a training session ahead of Wimbledon
Image credit: Getty Images
"Expectations are good," Fonseca added. "On grass you don't have very many weeks to get the experience. You need to adapt at the time that you have.
"I have good expectations. I'm playing good. I'm making some good practices. Yeah, my mentality is good, my confidence. I'm just going to enjoy it.
"Hopefully there's going to be some Brazilians looking up and cheering for me. For sure it's going to be a good match.
"Jacob is a nice friend and a nice player. Even on Court 1, it's just going to be a dream playing my first match here in Wimbledon.
"Every week for me has been an experience. I'm just enjoying every week. There's a lot of first tries for me, first times for me. I'm just going to enjoy it a lot."
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