Joao Fonseca

Press Conference

J. FONSECA/T. Paul

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I'm actually going to ask you about your first match here. You played against Khachanov on Court 3. Second match, sorry. Stadium 3. After the match, there were so many crowds of people there for you signing, surrounded by tons of fans. You looked so calm and serene. How have you developed that way that, you know, it doesn't faze you. It seems like just another day for you. You're so attentive to everyone looking for an autograph or photo from you.

JOAO FONSECA: Well, I think I was always like this, like chill, calm, and trying to behave as the best way possible. The other things that -- well, I need to get used to this, well, from where I want to be, top 1, top 5 in the world, win Grand Slams, this is going to be more usual.

Yeah, I love the support from the fans. I love children and kids coming by, asking for autographs, asking for photos. Just super nice, so I just try to act in the normal way and in a positive way.

Yeah, I think it's really nice.

Q. You said that you liked that sort of attention from the fans and things. Do you like all the hype you get from tennis commentators and fans or whatever saying that you could be the guy to challenge Sinner and Alcaraz?

JOAO FONSECA: Well, I'm not saying -- well, I don't think I like or dislike. I just try to act like, try to do my things. If people say that the people think that I can be good stuff, that I can play some good tennis, that I can be there playing with Alcaraz and Sinner, and then I try to bring in a positive way, not as a pressure but as a privilege, I mean, people are saying this, so I have the game, I have the level.

So let's keep working and then try to do the best that I can to achieve. Yeah, I think that's my mentality.

Like I said, I'm chill and very calm guy, so I just try to take positive things about those stuff and put in my day by day.

Q. Do you believe you can get there?

JOAO FONSECA: Of course. I need to believe it. I mean, I played Khachanov in the second round and Tommy now, two top-15 guys. Played really well.

I mean, I'm playing really well. I think I have the level. I'm playing really good. So, I mean, I think I can get there. It needs time, it needs to work mental, physique, needs to work the technique as well.

So, yeah, there is a lot to improve, but I'm thinking I'm the right path.

Q. It's your first stage at this level of tournament. What does it mean for you?

JOAO FONSECA: Yeah, first time fourth round. It's pretty nice. I mean, we, my team, we have been working to achieve, to make weeks like this on Masters. It's such an important tournament for us.

I mean, to play against those guys like Khachanov, like Tommy Paul, and now Sinner, it's just really pleasure. That's what we work for, to play against those guys, the top guy.

I'm just very happy the way that I played today and to have the opportunity to play with the, I mean, ex-top 1 and then now actual top 2, I mean, to see how my level is to where my game is and what I can achieve.

So it's going to be hopefully a great week, and it has already been a great week, so hopefully I can do more results. Yeah, I'm just very happy to achieve my first fourth round.

Q. How excited are you to play Jannik? Can you talk about how much you have watched Jannik and Carlos as you've come through?

JOAO FONSECA: I mean, the players watch a lot Carlos and Jannik playing a lot of finals and a lot of epic matches. Both are in another level. Right now they're playing such an amazing tennis and achieving, I mean, they're almost winning every tournament.

So, yeah, just like I said, it's just a pleasure. It's a really big thing to play against those guys. I'm gonna enjoy playing out there. I'm gonna, I mean, try of course to win.

But at the same time, try to enjoy my time on court, try to enjoy as much as possible to see where my game is, what is the thing that he does that anyone can beat those guys.

So, yeah, I'm just trying to work on my game tomorrow, to see the plan, and then on Tuesday be ready for the match.