How Did Joao Fonseca Become the Youngest Player Since 2011 to Reach the Third Round at Wimbledon?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Joao Fonseca is making history as the youngest player since 2011 to reach the third round at Wimbledon.
- He displayed maturity and resilience in a challenging match against Jenson Brooksby.
- The match lasted over three hours, showcasing Fonseca’s endurance.
- His victory adds to an impressive season where he has already claimed an ATP title.
- Fonseca is set to face Nicolas Jarry in the next round, increasing his profile as a contender.
London, July 2 (NationPress) Joao Fonseca has made headlines on Wednesday by etching his name in the history books as he reached the third round of Wimbledon during his debut at this esteemed tournament. The 18-year-old Brazilian triumphed over American Jenson Brooksby with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in a challenging, wind-swept encounter that spanned more than three hours.
In only his fourth career tour-level match on grass, Fonseca displayed a level of maturity that belied his age. Facing tricky, windy conditions on Court 12, the #NextGenATP sensation maintained his composure against the crafty American, who sought to disrupt the rhythm with drop shots and variety. Brooksby, who had recently reached the finals at Eastbourne, found success intermittently—particularly in the second set and during a break in the fourth set to level the score at 4-4—but Fonseca quickly extinguished the threat with powerful serves, blistering groundstrokes, and fearless aggression, according to ATP.
The match extended beyond three hours, and Fonseca delighted the audience with 50 winners, including an impressive stretched backhand from behind the baseline early in the fourth set. The crowd, a mix of Brazilian and American supporters, erupted with enthusiasm throughout, crafting an electrifying atmosphere that Fonseca seemed to thrive on during pivotal moments.
This victory also marks him as the youngest male player to reach the third round at Wimbledon since Bernard Tomic in 2011. This is yet another significant achievement in a breakout season in 2025. Fonseca made headlines in January by defeating then-World No. 9 Andrey Rublev in his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open. A month later, he secured his first ATP title in Buenos Aires, followed by a commendable performance at Roland Garros, where he progressed to the third round.
With momentum and confidence on his side, Fonseca is now set to face qualifier Nicolas Jarry in the upcoming round. The Chilean easily dispatched American teen Learner Tien, but Fonseca’s current form and growing belief position him as a formidable contender.