Andy Roddick has noticed something ‘strange’ about the reaction to Joao Fonseca’s Argentina Open win

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Joao Fonseca has taken the world of tennis by storm in 2025, as many predict big things for the young Brazilian star.

The 18-year-old broke through on the ATP Tour with an excellent performance at last month’s Australian Open.

Fonseca beat Andrey Rublev in the first round, 7-6, 6-3, 7-6, winning his first main draw match at a Major tournament.

Fonseca then lost to Lorenzo Sonego, 7-6, 3-6, 1-6, 6-3, 3-6, bringing an end to his maiden Grand Slam campaign.

Returning to the tour in Buenos Aires, Fonseca won the Argentina Open, clinching his first trophy as a professional with a straight-sets win over home favorite Francisco Cerundolo.

Following his win, one ATP Tour legend has shared his thoughts on the ‘strange’ reaction to the Brazilian’s first title.

Andy Roddick says it’s ‘strange’ to see Brazil fully on board with Joao Fonseca after winning an ATP 250 title

Speaking on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, former world number one Andy Roddick reacted to Fonseca’s win in Argentina.

“In Buenos Aires, Joao Fonseca won the first of many titles,” he said.

“It’s strange to see the way the entire country of Brazil is already on board with this kid that is like 80 or 75 in the world, it’s not as if he made the semis of a Slam, it’s not as if he made the finals of a Masters 1000, this is a 250.

“It seems like the hype train has fully left the station, I love the way he plays, there are a lot of things I like.”

Roddick’s co-host Jon Wertheim then chimed in, explaining what is different about Fonseca that he ‘loves.’

“[Joao] Fonseca, what I love about him, in this era we live in of big data, this is all about the eye test isn’t it,” he said.

“People just watch this kid play and they say, holy hell is this a future champion.

“One thing I like, is watch the opponents when he beats them.

“He beat [Andrey] Rublev, the first round of Australia, as you predicted, Rublev did not have this look on his face of I just lost to a teenager I’m going to go hide, it was more like damn, this guy is really good, he’s a future star we’re watching.”

Wertheim then compared an area of Fonseca’s game to another top ATP star, as he suggested why many tout the teenager as a ‘future champion.’

“I think everybody who knows tennis watches his shot-making, watches his power, forehand, he’s got the [Carlos] Alcaraz thing, where there’s a nice little drop shot to level that power,” he said.

“People just look at him and go holy hell, this guy is a future champion and the eyes don’t lie.”

What’s next for Joao Fonseca after Argentina Open win?

Fonseca returned to action for his home Rio Open, losing out in the first round to eventual finalist, Alexandre Muller, 1-6, 6-7.

The Brazilian will next appear at Indian Wells in California next month, having been handed a Wild Card for the event.

Fonseca has participated in just one previous Masters 1000 tournament, at last year’s Madrid Open, where he secured his first win at the level.

Taking on American youngster Alex Michelsen, Fonseca dropped the first set 4-6 before battling back in three, to advance to the second round.

He then lost to Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the second round, 1-6, 4-6, as he will now search for a second Masters 1000 win in Indian Wells next month.

After Indian Wells, Fonseca will make a return to the Challenger Tour, for an event in Phoenix, Arizona, where he will no doubt be one of the favorites.

The second ‘Sunshine Double’ tournament will follow, as Fonseca looks to continue his rise up the ATP rankings.

Having reached a career-high of 68th in the world following his win in Buenos Aires, Fonseca dropped back to 78th after his early-exit in Rio de Janeiro.

Fonseca will make his highly anticipated return to action at Indian Wells on March 3.