Joao Fonseca has been put under great pressure ever since he emerged onto the ATP Tour.
It’s worth remembering that he is still just a teenager, and what he has already accomplished deserves huge praise rather than a demand for more.
To compare him to the likes of Carlos Alcaraz is completely unfair, as nobody can live up to such expectations.
However, Joao Fonseca has now spoken about Roger Federer comparisons, explaining how that really used to weigh heavily on his mind.
Joao Fonseca responds to Roger Federer comparisons
Speaking ahead of his return to action at the Italian Open, the youngster was discussing the struggles that come with such pressure.
“At the beginning, it was real madness for me, honestly,” he began, claiming: “It was something totally different.”
For a kid to be under such instant scrutiny unexpectedly impacted his thought process as he bid to become an established professional, and it’s impressive that he now sits 29th in the ATP rankings, having come through this initial barrage of expectation.
Fonseca continued: “I felt the pressure from people, all the expectations… I felt like everyone thought I was going to become the next Roger Federer almost overnight.
“But things don’t work like that. I was trying to understand all of that, but it was difficult.
“Now, I think I’ve understood that I only play for myself, that I don’t owe anything to people and that I don’t play for them, but for myself.”
Jannik Sinner has been discussing the potential of Fonseca and Rafael Jodar recently, with many tipping these two teenagers to soon step up and challenge the world’s top two players.
Joao Fonseca might be dealing with too much pressure
Despite being just 19 years old, the pressure that Fonseca has been put under during his short time on the ATP Tour is huge.
The fact that he remains so cool and composed and continues to steadily progress forward is a testament to his incredible mental fortitude.
Will Joao Fonseca be the man to break up Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance?
If not, who will be?
The Brazilian burst onto the scene in 2024 and has remained ever-present at the apex of the sport ever since, with two tour-level titles to his name as well as a handful of huge victories over top opposition.
However, with an entire nation supporting him and so much expectation from the wider tennis world, Fonseca would have been forgiven for faltering under such pressure.
Alas, he remains as calm as ever, and whilst he can address such struggles, the fact that he just keeps progressing indicates that greatness will come for him eventually. There is no rush on such an outcome, though.
