“We need to follow their steps”: Fonseca on how the Big Three have shaped his game
Positive body language was key in Fonseca’s tough second-round clash against Herbert on Thursday
© Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Up against a raucous French crowd supporting their man Pierre-Hugues Herbert, teen sensation Joao Fonseca faced a tough mental challenge in just his fourth Grand Slam match at Roland-Garros on Thursday.
The Brazilian trailed 4-2 in the first set after being up a break early, and came within two points of losing the opening set, eventually prevailing in a tiebreak.
He then found himself down a break early in the second set, squandering multiple breakpoints of his own en route to forcing another tiebreak. There, he fell behind 3-0, before winning seven of the next eight points to go two sets up after close to two-and-a-half hours.
Yet throughout all these challenges, not once did Fonseca look out of his depth. The 18-year-old rose to the occasion, oozing confidence and control as he roared, fist-pumped and rallied his way to a straight-sets victory.
Fonseca reveals key to mental resolve
Speaking to media afterwards, Fonseca revealed that his mindset in such pressure moments is inspired by none other than the sport’s greatest names.
“Rafa Nadal and (Novak) Djokovic and (Roger) Federer, I mean, those guys, the body language they have is just incredible,” he said. “We need to follow their steps. You need to stay positive.
“My coach says to me a lot about body language. There is going to be bad moments; there are going to be good moments. The less moments, it’s better. So you need to stay positive all the time.
“It’s one thing that I practice a lot. I try to practice. I mean, also in practices when the practices are doing it’s difficult, or I’m playing bad, I just try to stay positive and focus on what I need to do, the exercise for everything.
“But in matches, just try to stay positive all the time and focus about the good things, what I can improve.”
All of Melbourne Park knows when Fonseca takes to the court because of the Brazilian contingent that loudly cheers him on from the stands. It’s this national passion that Fonseca credits for his efforts against Herbert on Thursday as well.
“I would say Brazilians, when they are in trouble, they find a way to manage themselves. In important moments I just try to be brave, to be courageous.
“In the tiebreaker, the second set, I was 3-0 down on the tiebreak, and I did some amazing shots. Made two great serves. After he did a dropshot, I make another dropshot. Was three-all. Made some good returns, three good returns with my forehand.
“I think that’s the difference between the good guys in the top 50 from the top 10, they need to be brave, they need to know how to play in important moments.
“[I’m] happy the way that I played on these important moments and was good mentally through the whole match.”
Fonseca will need plenty of mental resolve on Saturday in Paris, with No 5 seed Jack Draper awaiting him in the third round – a match that he hopes won’t clash with the Champions League final in the evening. He is, after all, still a teenager.
