Joao Fonseca frenzy erupts in Brazil after incredible French Open victory over Novak Djokovic

[p]In recent years, fans from the football-mad nation have brought their boisterous energy to typically restrained tennis matches as they followed the 19-year-old's ascension to number 30 in the world.[/p][p]In Brazil, children are flocking to tennis academies and youth tournaments to follow in his footsteps.[/p][p][b]"Today, we have no spots available. There is a waiting list,"[/b] tennis coach Juninho Nascimento told AFP at his academy in Sao Bernardo do Campo, 20 kilometres from Sao Paulo.[/p][p]One of his students, 13-year-old Henry Takahashi, said he trains every day, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fonseca-joao/tv073LUc/"]Fonseca[/a] serving as his "inspiration".[/p][p][b]"I like how (Fonseca) carries himself on the court, his shots... everything,"[/b] Takahashi said shyly.[/p][p]With his aggressive playing style, a heavy forehand, and plenty of charisma, Rio de Janeiro native Fonseca has emerged as the great hope of South American tennis.[/p][p]In the process, he has put Brazil back on the map among the men's tennis elite.[/p][embed guid="41ed1f53-22f9-4e7e-a1dd-1c9d1d665137" url="https://x.com/rolandgarros/status/2060434971861405728" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/djokovic-n-AZg49Et9/fonseca-j-tv073LUc/?mid=Mys64AqL"]On Friday, he blasted Djokovic out of the French Open in an almost five-hour match.[/a][/p][p]In 2025 - when he won his first titles on the ATP Tour in Buenos Aires and Basel - Fonseca became just the fifth Brazilian in history to break into the top 25 of the world rankings.[/p][p]His highest ranking has been 24th.[/p][p]This places him in an exclusive club alongside Gustavo Kuerten - the country's only world number one - Thomaz Bellucci, Fernando Meligeni, and Thomaz Koch.[/p][p]It had been a long time coming for Brazil: Kuerten retired in 2008, Meligeni in 2003, and Koch in 1985.[/p][h2]Same racket, same moustache[/h2][p]Brazil recorded a 34 per cent jump in the number of participants in a national youth championship for players between the ages of 12 and 18 and the Federation Cup - an elite tournament for rising stars in which Fonseca himself once competed.[/p][p][b]"It's crazy! I joke with everyone: Joao Fonseca wins a match in the morning, and by the afternoon, the number of registered members goes up," [/b]Danilo Gaino, president of the Sao Paulo tennis federation, told AFP.[/p][p]Thiago Freitas, Brazil operations director for the Roc Nation sports agency, said Fonseca attracted young fans.[/p][p][b]"If you look at the boys, they're all growing little moustaches and beards just like Joao's,"[/b] Nascimento said - referring to the goatee often sported by the player.[/p][embed guid="658af3f5-a767-4b36-a04d-71a3843f33a5" url="https://x.com/rolandgarros/status/2060435808998260910" social-type="twitter" /][p]Many also use his racket model.[/p][p]Just breaking into the professional ranks, Luis "Guto" Miguel is one of Brazil's most promising young tennis players.[/p][p]Ranked second in the International Tennis Federation's junior standings, the 17-year-old believes that Fonseca is "paving a path" for others to follow.[/p][p][b]"It's a tough road. With his dedication, his shot-making, and his attitude, he helps us learn faster and reach the very top,"[/b] Miguel told AFP after competing in the Latin American Open in Sao Paulo - his debut on the ATP Tour.[/p][p]In Sao Bernardo do Campo, other up-and-coming young players wrap up a practice session.[/p][p]Seeing "such a young player" like Fonseca win titles is an inspiration, said one of them, Bruno Rodrigues.[/p][p]"If he can do it, maybe one day we can too."[/p]