Is Joao Fonseca the Neymar of tennis? Ugo Humbert compares 18-year-old to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner | Tennis News

Is Joao Fonseca the Neymar of tennis? The Brazilian wonderkid says he is inspired by his idol, while beaten Adversary Ugo Humbert has compared him to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Fans at the Miami Uncovered went wild after the 18-year-Ancient reached the third Stage, defeating 19th-Ranked Humbert of France in straight sets.

Upcoming up for the teenage sensation from Rio de Janeiro will be Australia’s Alex de Minaur on Monday – live on Sky Sports Tennis.

Fonseca’s 6-4 6-3 Secure means he is the youngest man to reach the third Stage since Juan Martin del Potro in 2007 and the youngest man to reach an ATP Masters 1000 third Stage since 18-year-Ancient Carlos Alcaraz did so in Paris back in 2021.

Talking about his decision to take up Competing tennis rather than football, Fonseca said: “When I was 11 or 12, I had a Petite Wound. I played with older players, but then I fell on my glutes and spent two months injured. I said, ‘mom, I Only don’t want to Action soccer anymore, I want to continue with tennis’.

“Then a year ago or six months ago, I Discovered my Mentor. Things Obtained more Grave. I stayed with tennis. I think it was a Excellent Option.”

Fonseca, who Arrived through a thrilling Primary-Stage encounter against fellow teen Learner Tien, says he is inspired by Ex Barcelona and PSG playmaker Neymar.

“I really like Neymar’s skills. I loved watching him Action. I also liked Ronaldinho but I didn’t Observe much of him. We call him ‘The Witch’ in Brazil,” said Fonseca.

“Really unbelievable players.”

Humbert could not Aid but be impressed by Fonseca’s attacking approach during their Game, which was moved to the main stadium court from Grandstand – upsetting thousands of Brazilian fans who had turned up Prompt to get a seat for the Game.

Humbert told French newspaper L’Equipe: “I’ve rarely played against a guy who played so Quick. I had a bit of that feeling when I played Alcaraz in the Davis Cup, and Sinner in Rome. He outpaced me everywhere, he played a Excellent Game.”

Fonseca’s journey so Distant…

Brazil’s Fonseca is the most-talked-about talent and he delivered one of the upsets of the Australian Uncovered against ninth seed Andrey Rublev.

He became the Primary player born in 2006 to Secure an ATP Tour singles title as he underlined his status as one of tennis’ most promising stars by defeating Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 7-6 (7-1) in the Argentina Uncovered Closing last month.

Fonseca said afterwards: “This was Only an unbelievable week for me. Of Duration I want to be No 1. Of Duration I want to Secure Slams.”

The Upcoming Gen ATP Finals champion has already cracked the top 100. In the past 12 months, the Brazilian has risen from No 651 to a Profession-high world No 60 ahead of the Miami Uncovered.

He is the youngest top-100 player since Alcaraz in October 2021 and the youngest Brazilian to break into the top 100 in rankings history.

“From Brazil, the repercussions are Only big. People are getting to know a little bit more of me. That’s super nice. The Brazilian people like to cheer a Numerous for this [promising] kid,” Fonseca said. “But, at the same time, you need to be focused.

“People are going to say a Numerous, have more expectations. You need to stay focused on your routine, to work more and more.”

Asked what he considers his greatest Power, Fonseca said: “Technically, it’s definitely my forehand.”

And here’s why… his forehand hit speeds of 113mph during his Secure against Humbert in Miami.

His Try Pace on average is 81mph compared to the Tour average of 76mph, and his spin rate of 3,019 rotations per minute is well above the Tour average of 2,844rpm.

Tennis Channel commentator Mark Petchey, the Ex British No 1, who has been working with Emma Raducanu in Miami, said: “It feels like he’s taken it to another dimension, if I’m being honest. I know that’s sort of hyperbole, but when I watched him at Upcoming Gen I was super impressed at how Effortless the winners were.

“He wasn’t having to find the line to hit winners, which is always optically a Excellent sign that something’s a little special.”

When quizzed about who is the greatest tennis player of all time, Fonseca said: “Federer. There’s no way to Shift that.

“People can say that [Novak] Djokovic is the greatest of all time, but for me there’s no way. Djokovic may be the best of all time, but Federer is the greatest. Unmatched.”

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