Joao Fonseca says comeback is ‘100 per cent’ but lack of rhythm cost him Australian Open | ATP Tour

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Fonseca says he’s back ‘100 per cent’ but lack of rhythm cost him Australian Open

The Brazilian withdrew from Brisbane and Adelaide ahead of the Melbourne campaign

January 20, 2026

Joao Fonseca insisted his back is fine after his Australian Open first-round loss to Eliot Spizzirri on Tuesday, but admitted a lack of match practice and “rhythm” was a key factor in his exit.

The 19-year-old Brazilian pulled out of Brisbane and Adelaide ahead of the season opener and said he needed more time on the court. Reflecting on his physical condition and difficulty finding rhythm, Fonseca said the lax nature of his comeback made it difficult to feel fully comfortable on the court.

“I’ll say I needed more time,” said Fonseca after his 4-6, 6-2, 1-6, 2-6 defeat. “Since the beginning of Brisbane, I was not playing, then I came back, but slowly, I put again, so I went about 15 days without hitting 100 percent, very strong.

“I tried my best today [it’s] the bad thing is that I wasn’t playing at 100 percent, but at the same time, it gives me the maturity to continue, understand my body, understand my limits. Today was not the day. But I think I’m still confident, I’m still playing well. I practice good habits. I just need a rhythm. I think this season will be good for me.”

The early defeat was a big difference at last year’s Australian Open, where he announced himself on the big stage by defeating Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the first round. Fonseca was clear, however, that he has no regrets about competing in Melbourne.

“I have no regrets at all,” said Fonseca, the No. 32 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. “I think there are things in life you need to find good things in… My back is 100 percent. I’m healthy again. I just needed time.

“It was good to see how to deal with a five-set match and the body is 100 percent. I was starting to get tired. I needed a rhythm, but it’s good to have experience, to see your limits, to see how it happens. I don’t regret anything.”

Looking ahead, Fonseca confirmed that he will next travel to South America, where he plans to rebuild his game before defending his ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires and entering the ATP 500 home event in Rio de Janeiro.

After the clash of his girlfriend Lexus ATP Head2Head with Spizzirri, Fonseca was successful in the defeat when he analyzed the performance of the American, praising his performance, his return and his mental strength in important moments.

“I think he did very well,” Fonseca said of Spizzirri, who hit 14 aces and won 81 percent of the first points, according to Infosys Stats. “He [made] many returns. That’s another thing that the top players do, they put a lot of pressure on the guy’s return.

“I think he worked as well as one. I think he is mentally well. The first game in the third set I got 0/40, but he closed the doors. After this, he continued to be strong, and I could not hold on.

“Maybe if I had found the match, maybe things would have gone well. But maybe. Tennis has many opportunities.”