Joao Fonseca inspired after Jannik Sinner Indian Wells loss: ‘The level is there’ | ATP Tour

match response

Fonseca encourages after Sinner defeat: ‘The level is there’

The Brazilian had three set points in the first set but lost in straight sets

March 11, 2026

Ever since his breakthrough victory in Rio de Janeiro in 2024, the tennis world has been asking the same question: Can Joao Fonseca one day challenge the dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Yannick Sinner?

Since then, the Brazilian teenager has only fueled the conversation. Fonseca ended the 2024 season by winning the Next Generation ATP Finals, becoming the third 18-year-old to lift the trophy after Alcaraz and Sinner. He carried that momentum into 2025, winning Tour-level trophies in Buenos Aires and Basel, further cementing his belief that he could join the sport’s new elite.

On Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open, Fonseca finally measured herself against one of those benchmarks: Sinner. The Italian struggled to win 7-6(6), 7-6(4), but the 19-year-old left the court feeling encouraged by his strong competition against the world number two.

“I can play against them. I can have some great games. But there are always little things, little things that are important that you have to deal with every day,” Fonseca said.

“I mean, those little details are very important, like when he hits the big score, how he handles it. So of course I still need a lot of experience, but I think the level is still there. Of course, I can compete against them. [There are] There are still a lot of things to improve on but I’m happy with the way I played because I felt the level was very close today. “

Fonseca pressed Sinner hard in the pair’s first Lexus ATP head-to-head match. He saved three set points at 6/3 in the first set tie-break, but failed to convert in the second set tie-break and led 4/3.

The Brazilian then praised Sinner’s ability to find his best form in crucial moments.

“I think he applies a lot of pressure… He wins a lot of points on serve, a lot of important points. I would say every time he’s tight, he’s putting a lot of pressure. When he’s tight, he’s putting a lot of pressure. Time doesn’t matter. He hits the ball hard,” Fonseca said.

“You can feel the ball, it’s just heavy. That’s what I feel, the intensity of the game. All games, 100 percent, you always have to be ready, always focused. I think that’s the main difference, the intensity, and the way he makes big plays.”

Fonseca, who has never faced Alcaraz, enjoyed an impressive week in Indian Wells, where he reached the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time. The 35th-ranked player in the PIF ATP rankings defeated Tommy Paul in straight sets, saved two match points on the way to defeating Karen Khachanov and easily defeated Rafael Collignon in the opening match.

“As a tennis player, I can say that when we lose, we sometimes feel sad or disappointed, trying to figure out what I did right and what I did wrong. But of course, I’m happy with the way I played,” Fonseca said when asked about Sinner’s finish. “For myself, when I play well, when I do everything well and the opponent takes the credit, I usually don’t think I need to be angry with myself.”