Joao Fonseca: ‘I feel healthy and happy on the court again’ | ATP Tour

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Fonseca: ‘I feel healthy and happy on the court again’

The Brazilian shows the support of the crowd, why he always hits more and more

March 05, 2026

“Jo-ao Fon-se-ca! Jo-ao Fon-se-ca!”

Joao Fonseca’s anthem was the highlight of his 7-6(2), 6-4 victory over Raphael Collignon on Wednesday evening in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open. Whether it was between points and games, during a changeover or after a match, the jubilant crowd lifted the two-time ATP Tour champion on his symbolic shoulders and cheered him on to victory.

“I’m just trying to push as hard as I can,” Fonseca told ATPTour.com. “I try to bring them to me to give me the strength to continue.”

The song followed Fonseca around the world, with fans around the world supporting the rising star. According to the Brazilian player, he first felt such support at a junior tournament played at his home, the Rio de Janeiro Country Club.

“It was the first time I felt a lot of pressure, because I was the first seed and I was getting the wrong card in the Roland Garros juniors’ main event,” said Fonseca. “I won this competition and it was the first time in my club that many people cheered for me, I felt pressure but it was fun.”

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The teenager vividly recalls memories from his younger days in the game, hitting the ball as hard as he could. Sometimes the ball would go in, but more times it would fly over the back fence.

Today, Fonseca has learned to hone his skills and unleash them against the best players in the world. That helped him reach a career high of No. 24 in the PIF ATP Rankings and an ATP 500 title last October in Basel.

“It was my thing to hit hard,” said Fonseca. “Especially in important points when a little pressure comes, I wanted to follow you, I wanted to do what I usually do, not only. [push] football. I was always like this and that will be me forever. That’s something I wouldn’t change.

“I need to be very strong, of course, and not change. I need to improve in harmony, but that’s me, I can’t change.”

Fonseca came into the season opener of the ATP Masters 1000 with a 1-3 record for the season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. But the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals champion has been dealing with a back injury and showed signs of awakening in Rio de Janeiro, where he partnered countryman Marcelo Melo for the doubles title.

Now the crowd favorite has entered the second round in the California desert and is gathering momentum with the ongoing ‘Sunshine Double’.

“It’s always good, after the first two months of the year, I was struggling with injuries, I came back. [getting the] rhythm,” said Fonseca. I feel good and I’m very happy with the way I played today.”