Fonseca's Forehand Flies But His Feet Are 'On the Ground' at NBO: Rising Star Joao Fonseca Makes a Statement at National Bank Open

Joao Fonseca has been touted as a rising star in the world of tennis, with many believing he has the potential to challenge the current top two players in the men's game, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Fonseca's impressive performance at the National Bank Open has only added fuel to the fire, with his forehand being a major talking point. But despite the hype surrounding him, Fonseca is keen to emphasize that he is his own man and wants to forge his own path in tennis.

The 19-year-old Brazilian has faced comparisons to Gustavo 'Guga' Kuerten, a three-time French Open winner who also had a strong presence at the National Bank Open in 1997. While Fonseca acknowledges that such comparisons can be flattering, he is determined to make his own mark on the sport. 'My dream is to inspire kids, people, and do half of what these guys did,' Fonseca said in an interview. 'So, I just try to focus on my routine and what I can do to improve each day as an athlete and as a person, and I think that's it.'

Fonseca's approach to the game is centered around his strong work ethic and commitment to self-improvement. He has been making steady progress in 2026, achieving a pair of important milestones, including a first Masters 1000 quarterfinal in Monte Carlo and a first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the French Open. His reputation grew after he became only the second player to beat Novak Djokovic from two sets down at a Grand Slam. But the grit was there in the previous round, too, as he rallied from two sets down against a player closer to his age, Dino Prizmic.

Another key aspect of Fonseca's game is his ability to adapt to different opponents and situations. He has faced both Alcaraz and Sinner, and his confidence has grown as a result of these experiences. 'I think this year I learned so much and had some more experience,' Fonseca said. 'And, yeah, I'm pretty confident in the match. I'm feeling good on court. So just let it roll and let's try to rest more and be ready for it.'

As Fonseca faces off against defending champion Ben Shelton on Sunday, many will be watching to see how he handles the pressure of competing against an elite opponent. Shelton possesses one of the biggest serves in tennis, and Fonseca will need to be at the top of his game to take down the American. But Fonseca is not intimidated, and he has been spending time at the NBO with Canadian Duncan Chan, who is competing in his first ATP tournament while still at Texas Christian University.

Fonseca has been spending a lot of time with Chan, who has been making a strong impression in singles and doubles. 'He's a huge friend,' Fonseca said. 'I know him and his mom a lot. We played juniors together. He's playing still college, but he's making the transition. Yeah, nice guy, nice dude, and I wish him all the best.'

Fonseca's future outlook is bright, and he has the potential to make a significant impact on the tennis world in the coming years. With his hard work and dedication, there is no doubt that he will continue to challenge the best players in the game and make his own mark on the sport.

Despite the hype surrounding him, Fonseca remains grounded, and his soft-spoken nature is a refreshing change from the typical arrogant attitude that often comes with being a rising star. Fonseca's focus is on making his own history and focusing on what he needs to do to improve as a player and a person. 'Everyone has their own time, and I'm just focusing on my history, and if people say you're going to be the next, Guga, (Rafael) Nadal, I don't know, I don't want to be them,' Fonseca said. 'I just want to be me, and I'm trying to make my own history and focus on what I need to do to improve.'