Fonseca showed he is a future star with his victory at the Next Gen ATP Finals. (Getty Images: Francois Nel)OK, Fonseca’s youthful looks and exuberant disposition on the court were a dead giveaway the Brazilian is still in his teens.”Of course, I’m very happy with the way that I played today with the win, but I already think about the next match.”I tried for one week, and then I have something in my elbow, and then I said, ‘I’m going to go two-handed again.”Topic:Australian Open

On Tuesday night, the 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) win over Rublev on Margaret Court Arena saw Fonseca achieve some ‘firsts’ in his young career.Last month — when ranked 145 in the world — he announced himself on the international stage by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals, an event featuring the world’s top male players aged 20 or under.Any casual tennis fan who kept an eye on João Fonseca’s Australian Open first-round match could have been forgiven for thinking they were watching a seasoned pro.”Of course, I think everyone wanted to play like him. But I even tried, when I was younger, the one-handed (backhand).”I think that’s the mentality of the champion. So, I’m just trying to think about the next match.”

Fonseca’s expectations ‘are bigger now’

It was not only his maiden win over a top-10 player but it came in his debut at a grand slam tournament.”It’s going to be a good one against a very great player. I want more and more.A fortnight ago, Fonseca was grinding away on the second-tier Challenger circuit in Canberra, winning the tournament without dropping a set.

“I was trying to enter the court [by thinking], ‘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 [there was] no pressure on myself. That’s what I was trying to do.””Of course, my expectations are bigger now. I want more and more.”I grew up watching Roger,” he said.His motivation to do well at Melbourne Park was sharpened by the fact he had to come through three rounds of qualifying to earn his spot in the main draw.Fonseca isn’t there just yet, but his progress during 2024 suggested he will be a contender at the majors in the years to come.Loading…A second-round victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego would ensure a significant rankings boost from his current standing of 112, but Fonseca doesn’t want to stop there.But the clinical manner in which the 18-year-old dispensed of world number nine Andrey Rublev in straights sets suggested he already sat among the established stars of the games.”Everything was new for me … I was not the favourite,” Fonseca told his media conference at Melbourne Park.Fonseca’s confidence should not be mistaken for brashness, as it’s simply an indication of his ambition.Fonseca’s Australian Open campaign continues against Sonego on Thursday.Fonseca is already among the fan favourites at Melbourne Park. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)