“First impression here is just I really felt like I was in Brazil,” he said. “I mean, not only the crowd, but the organization treated me like I was in Brazil. So it was super cool. I really like the tournament. Probably one of my favorite tournaments now.
“I knew it was going to be crowded, but I didn’t know it was going to be huge.”
Novak Djokovic has been around for two decades and seen – and fostered – the rise of what is largely considered to be the greatest era of men’s tennis players in history. The Grand Slam king is wise enough to know that Fonseca’s potential to be a massive value add to the sport is important.
“He’s exciting for Brazil, for the world of tennis,” said Djokovic. “I was saying back in Australia, for our tennis ecosystem, our sport, it’s super important to have a superstar, a future superstar, hopefully coming from Brazil. Such a big country, big market, important. Of course, Miami, I think everyone knew that he’s going to have quite a support here.”
Djokovic went on to talk about the elements that make Fonseca a special talent.
“He’s been the talk of the tour in the last several months,” Djokovic said. “Deservedly so. He’s a very good tennis player. I mean, so young. Just incredible firepower from both ends of the baseline. Serve. He’s a very complete player.
“Of course, what is impressive is the way he strikes the ball, but even more so how he handles the nerves on the court for someone that doesn’t have experience at all playing at the highest level.”
