Joao Fonseca is one of the most talked about prospects on the ATP Tour at the moment.
Fonseca won his first ATP title earlier this year, and is currently at a career-high ranking of world number 48.
There are a lot of expectations on the Brazilian teenager’s shoulders, with Fonseca backed to win major titles in the future.
However, after Fonseca lost in the third round of Wimbledon, former quarterfinalist Chris Eubanks has called out something people have been saying about the 18-year-old.
Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty ImagesWhat Chris Eubanks does not like hearing people say about Joao Fonseca
Fonseca made his Wimbledon main draw debut this year, beating Jacob Fearnley and Jenson Brooksby to reach the third round for the first time.
When speaking about the Brazilian on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the aforementioned Eubanks called out people for criticising Fonseca.
Eubanks pointed out how far he had come from the start of the year, when Fonseca was ranked at world number 145.
“The one that really bothers me is the Fonseca one,” said Eubanks. “I have seen certain people and a certain discourse and fans sharing their opinions saying ‘I still don’t get the Fonseca hype’.
“I go he was 130 in the world to start this year. He third rounds Aussie from qualifying in his main draw Grand Slam debut, and he beats [Andrey] Rublev.
“He then goes to Roland Garros and third rounds there. These are his first times playing best of five set matches and he’s not worried about losing in the first round.
“He lost to Jarry at Wimbledon but won a round. And I’m like he has played three slams so far, he has just entered the top 100, he also has a Tour title.
“And he’s entering a point where because he hasn’t made a second week yet people are going he just doesn’t have it, I don’t see the hype. I’m like what are we talking about?”
What is next for Joao Fonseca?
Even more encouraging for Fonseca is that he is currently 33rd in the ATP race, with few ranking points to defend until the end of the year.
Fonseca has just 141 ranking points to defend until the 2026 season, as he prepares to make his debut at three big North American tournaments.
This includes the US Open, where Fonseca has been called a dark horse, and has only made one previous appearance in qualifying before.
However, before then Fonseca will compete at Masters 1000 tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, as he looks to continue his climb up the ATP rankings.