Novak Djokovic praises rising star, compares him to four-time Grand Slam winner

The ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells is underway, and one player is already making waves. Brazilian teenager João Fonseca claimed his first-ever BNP Paribas Open victory, defeating Jacob Fearnley to set up a second-round clash with Jack Draper. Amid the excitement, Novak Djokovic shared his thoughts on the 18-year-old’s potential, likening him to a four-time Grand Slam champion.

Fonseca has been turning heads with his stellar performances in recent tournaments. At the Australian Open, he made headlines by defeating Top 10 player Andrey Rublev in the first round, though his run ended in the second. He followed that by clinching the Argentina Open title and now looks to make history at Indian Wells.

Speaking at a press conference before his match against Botic van de Zandschulp, Djokovic didn’t hold back his admiration for the young star. “He has the potential to be really a superstar of this game. No doubt about it,” Djokovic said. “Coming from Brazil, one of the biggest countries in the world, where they love tennis, love sports, very passionate people”.

“It would be amazing for also our sport to have a Brazilian superstar, first really big superstar since Gustavo ‘Guga’ Kuerten, that was an idol for so many kids, incredible guy and big champion,” he continued. “Yeah, I wish him all the best”.

Joao Fonseca of Brazil celebrates a point against Jacob Fearnley of Great Britain in their first round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Djokovic compares Fonseca to Carlos Alcaraz

The Serbian legend also spoke about the challenges young players face when competing at the highest level. “When you’re that young and playing at a high level, there’s not much to lose and a lot to gain,” Djokovic noted. “Of course, attention from the people, support—it all adds to the evolution of the player. Eventually, though, it converts into pressure and expectations—from himself and others”.

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Djokovic observed that Fonseca appears to be handling those pressures well and compared him to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion who has risen to stardom at a young age.

“He seems to be handling it all very well,” Djokovic added. “I don’t know him personally that well, but from what I’ve seen on the court—not only the way he plays but the way he carries himself—it seems there’s a very good level of balance, professionalism, and dedication, much like what we’ve seen with Alcaraz over the past couple of years”.

Fonseca reacts to Djokovic’s praise

After Djokovic congratulated him for advancing to the second round, Fonseca couldn’t hide his excitement while addressing the media. “I was just leaving the court that I practiced on after my match, and then [Djokovic] was entering,” Fonseca said. “He asked if I won. I said I won. Then he just congratulated me. It was super cool that he was talking to me”.