Joao Fonseca reveals two tennis 'idols' amid Australian Open breakout win over Andrey Rublev - 'He inspires me'

Joao Fonseca was the name on everyone's lips after a compelling Day 3 of the Australian Open. The Brazilian, only 18, delivered on all the promise that saw him win the Next Gen Finals late last year to down world No. 9 Andrey Rublev in straight sets. And Fonseca has now revealed his two tennis "idols" - a duo with 23 Grand Slam titles between them.

Joao Fonseca revealed his two tennis idols after shocking the world by ousting ninth seed Andrey Rublev from the Australian Open.

Fonseca, 18, might have pulled up trees on the junior circuit - winning the US Open boys singles title in 2023, becoming junior world No. 1 as well as triumphing at the Next Gen Finals last year - but this was his first ever Grand Slam main-draw match.

And the Brazilian took to it like a duck to water, not even dropping a set as he dispatched the hugely experienced Rublev 7-6(1) 6-3 7-6(5) with a performance of guile and grace.

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The manner of Fonseca's win was perhaps unsurprising, given who his heroes were growing up.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Fonseca said: "I mean, my idol was always Roger [Federer].

"I grew up watching Roger. Of course, I think everyone wanted to play like him.

Australian Open highlights: Fonseca, 18, thrills to land huge Rublev scalp

Video credit: TNT Sports

"But I even tried, when I was younger, the one-handed [backhand]. I tried for, like, one week, and then I have something in my elbow, and then I forgot, I'm going to go two-handed again.

"But, yeah, he is an idol for me. He inspires me.

"Guga [Gustavo Kuerten], of course, the Brazilian one, he's not only [my] idol as a player, but as a person. He's such a nice person.

"I could meet him, and yeah, I think those two are my idols."

'Mentality of a champion'

Fonseca's reward for beating Rublev is another devilish tie, as he meets Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in round two.

But, as he detailed afterwards, Fonseca appears to have the tools to deal with what he is experiencing at such a young age.

"I knew the pressure was coming [against Rublev]," the Brazilian said.

"Everything was new for me, but for me, I was not the favourite. I was trying to enter the court with just, OK, I'm an 18-year-old guy, he's a top-10 guy. I'm going to do my best here.

"Of course, I'm confident. I know I can win, but no pressure on myself. That's what I was trying to do.

"But, of course, when I was two sets to love, I was thinking a little bit more, OK, maybe I'm going to win this match, and I need to focus, need to keep pushing.

"The nerves, of course, came, but I mentally stayed."

'Massive star of the future' Fonseca 'will be top 10 for sure'

Video credit: TNT Sports

After his grand entrance into the tournament, it is clear Fonseca is now thinking bigger.

"I think when I arrived here, my first goal was to qualify for the main draw," he added. "Of course, my expectations are bigger now. I want more and more.

"Of course, I'm very happy with the way that I played today with the win, but I already think about the next match. It's going to be a good one against a very great player.

"[I] want more and more. I think that's the mentality of the champion. So I'm just trying to think about the next match."

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