Venus Williams enjoyed a legendary tennis career, becoming world number one and winning seven Grand Slam singles titles.
The American legend turned professional in 1994 and reached her first Grand Slam final three years later at the 1997 US Open.
Grand Slam glory followed shortly after, as Williams won Wimbledon and the US Open in 2000, before repeating the feat in 2001.
She won three further Wimbledon titles, in 2005, 2007, and 2008, to take her tally to seven Grand Slams.
Having enjoyed such an impressive career, few know more about the sport of tennis than the former WTA number one.
When she talks, people listen, as fans will no doubt be interested to hear what she has recently said about Brazilian youngster, Joao Fonseca.
Venus Williams says Joao Fonseca is ‘crazy’ good and wishes she hit the ball like him when she was 18
Working as a member of the TNT Sports broadcast team, Williams was asked for her first impressions of the 2025 French Open.
“The tournament? There are so many good players, it is scary how good players are so young,” she said.
“[Joao] Fonseca, wow. How old is he? Still in diapers.
“I wish I was hitting like that at that age. It is crazy. I love seeing that, and you can see the new rivalries that are going to start forming.
“I just can’t wait to sit back and I’ll be eating popcorn watching tennis.
“The city of Paris is incredible. I am so happy I could literally live here, but my Mom and Dad would not agree! I am old enough now to move away, but I still feel the guilt.”
In his first-round match, Fonseca beat Hubert Hurkacz, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, before taking down Pierre-Hugues Herbert in round two.
Fonseca will now take on Jack Draper in the third round as he looks to secure the second top-ten win of his career.
Comparing Venus Williams and Joao Fonseca’s careers at 18 years old
Williams said she wished she had hit as well as Fonseca when she was 18 years old, but how do the two compare before their 19th birthdays?
The American had reached the quarterfinals of all four Majors, broken into the world’s top five, and picked up several big titles on tour.
Venus Williams’ career achievements before turning 19
- Best Australian Open performance – QF (1998, 1999)
- Best French Open performance – QF (1998)
- Best Wimbledon performance – QF (1998)
- Best US Open performance – F (1997)
- Best WTA 1000 performance – W X 3 (1998 Miami Open, 1999 Miami Open, 1999 Italian Open)
- WTA Titles – 7
- Career-high ranking – 5th
Fonseca at the same age, (albeit with just under three months until he turns 19), has yet to reach the heights of Williams, having only turned pro last year.
Joao Fonseca’s career achievements before turning 19
- Best Australian Open performance – 2R (2025)
- Best French Open performance – 3R (2025)*
- Best Wimbledon performance – Q1 (2024)
- Best US Open performance – Q3 (2024)
- Best Masters 1000 performance – 3R (2025 Miami Open)
- ATP Titles – 1
- Career-high ranking – 59th
The Brazilian certainly has a long way to go, but could yet do something Williams didn’t at 18, by winning the French Open.
Joao Fonseca’s route to an unlikely French Open title at 18-years-old
Fonseca has not dropped a set in Paris, winning his opening two matches comfortably to set up a third-round tie with Draper.
He will, of course, be the underdog for that match, but should he advance, Fonseca will quickly set his sights on the quarterfinals.
Either Alexander Bublik (ATP #62) or Henrique Rocha (ATP #200) would await him in the fourth round, opponents Fonseca may well be expected to beat.
If he were to reach the quarterfinals, he’d then likely face the toughest test of his young career against world number one Jannik Sinner.
The Italian has lost just a handful of matches since the beginning of 2024, most of which came against Carlos Alcaraz.
A favorite for the title, Sinner would be heavily favored in a potential match-up with Fonseca, although it’s important to note the pair have yet to play one another on the ATP Tour.
If Fonseca were to do the impossible and beat Sinner to move into the semi-finals, Alexander Zverev or Novak Djokovic would likely be up next.
Then, defending champion Alcaraz could await him in the final, as it’s clear to see Fonseca would need to beat some of the sport’s greatest players if he wants to win the title.
However, as the saying goes, ‘To be the best, you have to beat the best,’ and Fonseca will certainly be looking to secure a few more big scalps in Paris.
Fonseca will take on Draper for a place in the fourth round on Saturday, May 31.
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