Interview – Joao Fonseca: ‘Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault was essential for my development’

You played the first edition of Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault in Rio at home, in your own Club, in front of your friends and family. You seemed so confident and relaxed on the court, did that reflect how you were feeling inside as well?

Joao Fonseca: I think it helped me a lot for my future. It was the first time I was playing at my home club, in front of my family and friends. It was also the first time I felt that level of pressure, and there was a large crowd as well. I might have seemed confident and relaxed, but I certainly wasn't relaxed inside. I was nervous, especially being the top seed. However, that experience was vital for my junior career and my start on ITF tour. It taught me how to play my game in important matches and how to handle pressure. It was a key moment in building my character as a player.

Back in 2022, what was it like to play at Roland-Garros for the very first time? How did you handle the excitement and pressure to compete in your first Grand Slam?

For me, it was a fantastic experience. I had always dreamed of playing in a Grand Slam and wanted to see what it was really like: the crowd, seeing the top players and so on. I was excited, but I felt a lot of pressure during that first round. I remember there were many Brazilians there cheering for me, which created a great atmosphere. The first match was very tight, but I started playing better after that. Since I was almost always the youngest player, I tried to tell myself to just go out there and enjoy it. That mentality really helped me at the start of my career.

Do you remember the moment Guga came to the court to watch your match in Paris for your first Roland-Garros. What did it mean for a 15-year-old junior to see the Brazilian tennis icon in the stands?

I was in the middle of my match when I heard someone shouting 'Guga, Guga!' At first, I didn't realize what was happening, but then I saw him. It was such a pleasure. I had seen him before when I was a finalist in a tournament called 'Guga Kuerten' and took a photo with him, but I think that was the first time he saw me play. I tried to stay focused on the match. I knew that if I started thinking, 'Guga is watching me, I have to play well,' I probably would have lost that game!

This year marks the 5th edition of Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault, bringing together the best junior talents from Latin America in Sao Paulo to compete for a wild card in Paris. Seeing the recent success of 2024 champions (Nauhany Silva and Luis Guto Miguel) on the global stage, how would you describe the value brought by this tournament to Brazilian juniors?

In Latin America, we have so many talented players, but it can be difficult because we don't have many big tournaments nearby to help us climb the ITF rankings quickly. You must win a lot just to get into the major events. For me, Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault was essential for my development. At the time, my ranking was quite far from qualifying for a Grand Slam, so this was my first experience playing against top junior talents. It allowed me to feel the pressure of a Grand Slam environment and compete against dominant players from other continents, like Europe. It’s a crucial tournament that helps Latin American players to achieve their dreams.

Wherever you play in the world, Brazilian fans are there cheering for you. How do you feel about that and how do you explain this deep passion they have for tennis?

It’s not just tennis! They love to follow someone who is achieving great things. I think that energy comes from football culture, they love to cheer and I love this vibe. It’s true that no matter where I play, there are always Brazilians in the stands. Seeing the sport grow in Brazil and seeing that deep love for the game is wonderful. The culture in Brazil is just super cool. We are loud, we are passionate, and when we see a 'promise' in a sport, the hype is massive. Brazil is a huge country, and while tennis isn't always the most natural path for everyone, we have a history and legends like Guga. People in Brazil love to create a 'vibe', support their athletes and that energy is contagious. I felt that vibe at Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault in Rio. It was the first time I heard people chanting my name, and it was incredibly cool. Tennis is growing in Brazil, and our culture of support is a unique strength.

What advice would you give to the junior players competing in 2026 Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault?

I wish everyone the best of luck. It’s going to be a very tough tournament because you have the best Latin American players competing against each other in a small draw. The matches will be very close. My advice is to enjoy the experience, play your absolute best, and hopefully, the best player will win that spot for Roland-Garros juniors!