In a thrilling opening round at the Miami Open, Joao Fonseca faced more than just his opponent, Learner Tien. The young tennis prodigy battled not only a formidable adversary but also his own body as he grappled with severe nausea mid-match. Regardless, he triumphed over both, securing a 6-7(1), 3-6, 6-4 victory and advancing to the next round.
The 18-year-old Brazilian sensation gave fans and officials a fright during the final set. Leading 3-2, Fonseca paused the game, calling for a medical timeout. He confided in the umpire about his deteriorating condition, even requesting a plastic bag fearing he might vomit on the court. A physician was promptly summoned to the court to examine the ailing player, who was also complaining of dizziness.
After a tense hiatus, the game resumed. The crowd, significantly more supportive of Fonseca than Tien, rallied behind the young player. Their cheers echoed across the Miami court, some even originating from South American fans who had travelled specifically to witness the match. Their energetic support seemed to invigorate Fonseca, who swiftly ended the game in his favor.
Post-match, a triumphant Fonseca left the court, leaving the message ‘Am I in Brazil?’ on the camera lens, a nod to the thunderous support from the crowd. Subsequently, he clarified his mid-game health scare.
“When I was walking to serve, I felt very bad. I [was] supposed to throw up and I felt a little bit better after the doctor gave me some pills and [I am] feeling better now,” Fonseca revealed. He downplayed the episode, attributing it to potential tension during the match and assured fans he was recovering.
Fonseca also took a moment to appreciate the overwhelming support he received. He believes that a strong, supportive fanbase can significantly boost a player’s performance. “It’s super nice, but my dream is to actually play tennis, reach good things in this sport. And I think reaching good things in this sport comes from, of course, the crowd, which is amazing,” he said. His gratitude for the Brazilian crowd was evident as he thanked them for their loud cheers, acknowledging how their support played a crucial role in his victory against Learner, whom he admired as a solid, intelligent player.
Fonseca’s victory, despite his health scare, is a testament to his resilience and the power of crowd support, providing a riveting start to the Miami Open. His journey in the tournament is sure to be closely watched, promising more exciting matches to come.
