Joao Fonseca is one of tennis’ brightest, most prodigious young talents, and the world knows it.
In fact, it could even be this widespread notoriety that is impacting the results of the Brazilian teenager, who has enjoyed a year where his profile has risen to the very apex of the sport.
Always followed by hordes of his supporters from his homeland, wherever Fonseca goes, there is always hype.
However, recent results have not favoured the 18-year-old, leading some to question whether he is really deserving of all the expectations placed upon his shoulders.
Matt Roberts certainly thinks so, but he was scathing in his assessment of his Cincinnati Open defeat.
Joao Fonseca suffers shock exit at Cincinnati Open
Speaking on The Tennis Podcast, he admitted that, whilst obviously a supremely gifted individual, there are external factors clearly affecting his tennis.
And even if the record shows that Joao Fonseca won twice in Cincinnati, the first was an unconvincing comeback win against world number 71 Yunchaokete Bu, before Alejandro Davidovich Fokina had to retire despite being a set up.
He was then handily beaten by an inspired Terence Atmane, who is admittedly enjoying the tournament of his life so far.
Roberts, however, still felt like Fonseca could have done more: “Right. I mean, he’s clearly talented,” he began. “But what was striking here was Fonseca was a passenger. Like, he was being bossed around.
“And I think if I had to pinpoint one thing, there’s lots of things, but his return. It’s really, really below par, I think, especially off second serve.
“He doesn’t really know how to step back or to come in; he just looked totally lost trying to return serve at the moment.”
This was not the only critique the youngster has received lately, with Lindsay Davenport pinpointing the area of Fonseca’s game that let him down in Toronto, too.
Joao Fonseca remains a top talent who is not far from challenging
Although this may be a rough patch for Fonseca, which has extended over a few months, few can deny the talent he so clearly still boasts.
He should not be written off after such a tough run of form, especially when he is so young and has had to adjust to such a remarkable newfound level of fame.
It’s hard to remember a player as inexperienced as Fonseca having such pressure, with the passionate Brazilians having already heralded him as their greatest hope of success.
This is a burden as much as it is a benefit, and it’s worth remembering that.
However, this is a player who beat Andrey Rublev in his very first Grand Slam main draw match in straight sets, has already won his first ATP title, and even reached the third round at the French Open.
What he is doing, for his age, is not normal.
When the dust settles on this early-career excitement and he finds his rhythm, there’s no doubt Fonseca will be challenging at the very top.
