MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 22, 2025

Joao Fonseca

Press Conference

J. FONSECA/U. Humbert

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Joao, well done. Another great atmosphere on Stadium Court. What did you think of your level today?

JOAO FONSECA: I mean, I entered into the court really good. I think the mental part today was really good, the way that I expressed myself to the beginning of the match with great posture, great level, putting some great heavy balls to him.

So, I mean, it was great today doing my serves. So really happy the way that I played my level today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Today did you know this was your best performance so far on your first serve points won in your career, and you only lost four points on your serve the whole match? Have you seen big improvements and how has the serve been coming along?

JOAO FONSECA: Yeah, for sure me and my team, we're working a lot on the serves, serve plus-one, on the percentage of serves won. I mean, today was really good I can say. If it wasn't the best, one of the best performance by serve today.

Yeah, happy the way that I put my serve on today.

Q. You faced Ugo in Davis Cup two, three months ago with different surface and environment. What did you change in your strategy to beat him in straight sets?

JOAO FONSECA: It was super different. I mean, the court was super faster. It was much faster there. The crowd was for his side. He likes to play for the crowd. Same as me. I like to play for the crowd. Today the crowd was big for the Brazilians. That was a big difference.

On the match, I think I started in the beginning of the points, the return plus-one and the serve plus-one, I did much better putting more pressure, going for the shot, put him on the defense. I was more aggressive.

Yeah, in France, he commanded the points. He was going more for the shots. I was just far back from the baseline. So that was the difference today.

Q. You said when you were 10 or 11 you made a decision to play tennis instead of soccer. What went into that decision? Who are your favorite soccer players?

JOAO FONSECA: I mean, when I was 11 or 12, I had a small injury. I played more like 13 years old players, and I was 11, 12. So they were older. Yeah, I fell with my glutes. I stay like two months hurting. I said, Mom, I just don't want to play soccer anymore, I want to continue with tennis.

Then yeah, maybe a year ago or six months ago, I found my coach. Things got more seriously. I mean, I stay with tennis. I think was a good choice.

Yeah, my soccer idols, inspirations, I really like at that time Neymar skills. I loved watching him play. I like Ronaldinho. I didn't watch much of him, but I like to see maybe highlights of him. Yeah, we call him 'The Witch' in Brazil.

Yeah, those guys, really unbelievable players.

Q. Were you aware of what was going on with the court change? There was a lot of people outside trying to watch your match. That's inspiring. Were you aware of that? What was the thought process when they decided to change the court?

JOAO FONSECA: I knew since morning when I wake up we were going to the club, we knew that it was possible to change courts. Yeah, if the matches got, like, quicker, has like opportunity to put on the Stadium, they would put it.

Yeah, I was watching Grandstand, Draper and Mensik, watching at the same time Coco, seeing which one was going faster. They decided to go Stadium anyway. So yeah, at this time I knew it was right to go to the Stadium.

Since morning I knew it was maybe Grandstand or maybe Stadium. Yeah, I really like the decision because I already played my first round there, so I knew how was the court, how was the atmosphere. I knew there was going to be a lot of Brazilians, also.

About the Brazilians, the crowd is super nice. It's an honor seeing a lot of Brazilians cheering for me, saying my name every game I win. It's really, really nice.

Yeah, it's good (smiling).

Q. Very probably you'll play Alex de Minaur in the next round. How important is the crowd going to be for you if you do play him? What are your thoughts about playing him?

JOAO FONSECA: Yeah, it's going to be Alex and Bu. It's going to be a good match. I know Bu, he's making good streak last year that he enter in the top 100. He can win. Whatever. By ranking, Alex can win.

I practiced my first time with Alex in Indian Wells. He's a great guy. We all know how great he is playing, how he is as a fighter. So I know it's going to be difficult with both of them. I know I need to play my best.

Yeah, for sure the crowd is going to support me a lot on the tough moments. Important situations, they're going to be with me. So, yeah, I like to play with them. I feel like I stay more hyped with them. When I need, like, energy and some kind of different force, I can call them, and they're with me. So it's really good. I like.

Yeah, at the same time I know it's not because of the crowd that I'm going to win. I need to put my tennis.

Yeah, recover tomorrow, rest, practice, then rest again and go for the match.

Thank you.