Fonseca was ranked 730th in the world at the start of 2024, but by the end of the year he had risen in the world rankings to the top 150.
He captured the attention of tennis fans when he reached the quarterfinals at the ATP 500 tournament in his home city of Rio de Janeiro and at the ATP 250 tournament in Bucharest.
The teenager has really proven himself as one of the best newcomers with his victory at the Next Gen ATP Finals in December – an event for the best male players aged 21 and under.
Jannik Sinner, currently ranked number one in the world, who won the tournament in 2019, is the only player to lift the title at a younger age than Fonseca.
In fact, it was Sinner who convinced Fonseca to turn professional when he partnered the Italian at the 2023 ATP Finals.
Fonseca's performance against Rublev demonstrated his potential, as he took charge with his powerful forehand and hit 51 winners to the Russian's 33.
“I enjoyed every moment in this amazing stadium,” Fonseca said. “It is my first time playing in a huge stadium.”
Fonseca is the second teenager since 1973 to defeat a top-10 opponent in his first Grand Slam tournament, after Mario Ancic's win over Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2002.
When asked in his on-court interview how much it costs to acquire his talent, Fonseca pointed to 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer and replied: “As Roger said, talent is not enough without hard work.
“My idol was always Roger. I grew up watching Roger. Everyone wanted to play like him, and when I was younger I even tried to play with one hand.” [backhand] For one week.”
Fonseca will meet Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who is 57 places ahead of him, in the second round on Thursday.
“Of course my expectations are higher now,” Fonseca said. “I want more and more. I think that's the mentality of champions.”
