Joao Fonseca failed to hold back the tears during his Davis Cup appearance for Brazil. Having struggled with injuries throughout the summer programme, Fonseca returned to the court over the weekend, doing so in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Fonseca had been forced to pull out of the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati, as well as the US Open, because of an abdominal injury.
It worked out at just under a month between his two appearances on a tennis court, with Fonseca taking on Dominic Stricker of Switzerland. And it was during that Davis Cup encounter that Fonseca allowed his emotions to get the better of him, with the Brazilian breaking down in tears.
He came from behind to beat Stricker 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and after the winning point, the television cameras spotted Fonseca wiping the tears from his eyes.
Speaking after the match, the 20-year-old said: “It has been a difficult year. I have struggled with a lack of confidence and some injuries. I didn’t come here at 100 per cent, I couldn’t even guarantee that I would be able to play, but this moment, playing the Davis Cup for Brazil, means a lot to me. I gave my best and it is a very important victory for me and for the team.”
Before explaining the significance of the win: “Without a doubt, this victory can bring me a lot of confidence, but also a lot of maturity. Not just for the rest of the year, but for the rest of my career.”
It’s a positive start for Fonseca and Brazil, who find themselves 2-0 up in the tie, after Gustavo Heide defeated Stan Wawrinka. It puts them in contention to advance to the qualifying round of the 2027 World Cup.
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Joao Fonseca endured a horror 2026 (Image: Getty)
Fonseca will be hoping to have put his injury worries behind him, with the youngster having said before the match: “My recovery was tough. Obviously, I would have liked to play the US Open and be in better physical and mental shape.
“I have suffered many injuries this year. I returned to training last week, starting to feel good on the court again, and I couldn’t help but provide all my support to the team. I tried to recover as quickly as possible to be here. Everyone knows how important the Davis Cup is to me. Since my youth, I have always been dedicated to the Davis Cup.
“It was always the most important weeks of the year for me. I always returned lighter, happier. Being here with the team, in this atmosphere of unity, is fantastic and always very productive for everyone.”