- Teenage sensation Joao Fonseca eliminated Andrey Rublev in the First Round.
- Tennis’ young guns are announcing themselves on the biggest stage.
- Stefanos Tstipitias was the latest high-profile exit in Melbourne.
Last year I was fortunate enough to attend the Australian Open for the first time. As someone who grew up a stone’s throw from England’s home Grand Slam in SW19, I’m well-versed in the inherent thrill of the ATP circuit – but under the lights of the Rod Laver Arena, it felt as though I was witnessing a tennis spectacle like no other.
Of course, it certainly helped that I was in attendance for Alex de Minaur’s Fourth Round clash against Andrey Rublev, with the entire arena cheering in unison for its emerging homegrown hero as he attempted to reach his first AO quarter-final after three early exits in consecutive years.
Rublev was relishing the role of the pantomime villain, digging deep despite his obvious fatigue to progress through the rounds at the Australian hopeful’s expense. However, this year, de Minaur has been denied the opportunity for revenge with a stunning early exit for the Russian in the opening round… revealing an emerging trend during this year’s tournament in Melbourne.
Teenagers Announce Themselves on the Biggest Stage
Andrey Rublev’s Australian Open campaign was over before it had even begun, bowing out in a straight sets defeat to teenage sensation Joao Fonseca in the Margaret Court Arena.
You wouldn’t have thought that the 18-year-old Brazilian star was making his Australian Open debut the way he took the game to his more experienced opponent, forcing Rublev to defend on the back foot for the majority of the match. Rublev, a top 10 player used to dictating the play with his attacking style, was forced to scramble across the baseline to match Fonseca’s returns.
Despite his age, Fonseca demonstrated a poise and tactical understanding that belied his inexperience on the professional stage, seemingly dictating the court with fearless aggression and composure beyond his years. It was a clear juxtaposition as Rublev slammed his racquet to the ground in frustration.
“I just enjoyed the moment,” said Fonseca. “This is an amazing court. It’s my first time playing in a huge stadium. I really want to thank this amazing crowd. There were a lot of Brazilians here cheering for me.”
It speaks to a trend at this year’s Australian Open, of teenage talents sticking it to the older, more experienced heads in the competition. Something that AO’s most decorated player Novak Djokovic knows all too well.
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Novak Djokovic Survives a First Round Scare
The 24-time Grand Slam winner had mixed returns during his 2024 season. On one hand, he was unable to secure a Grand Slam title during the calendar year – the first time he’s failed to do so since 2017.
Yet on the other, the Serbian star managed to win every title available to a professional tennis player, winning Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games, and beating Carlos Alcaraz in the French capital. It’s the first time in history any player has completed this feat.
So when Djokovic entered the Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night, faced with 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy in the opening round, it’d be safe to assume it’s business as usual for the sport’s most successful player. Until it wasn’t.
Basavareddy stunned the AO with an energetic and committed first set, completely unfazed by the sheer magnitude of facing one of the sport’s all-time greats. In his first appearance in Melbourne’s iconic arena, the American teenager announced himself on the biggest stage and almost pulled off what would have been the biggest upset of the tournament, on just the third day.
“I think he was the better player for a set and a half,” admitted Djokovic. “He deserves every bit of applause that he got when he was leaving the court.”
“He’s a very complete player. He did very pleasantly surprise me with his shots and his fighting spirit towards the end. So I wish him all the very best for the rest of his career.”
Another player left to reflect on a missed opportunity is Stefanos Tsitsipas, the World No. 11 seed, who cut a dejected figure after failing to clear the opening round of this year’s Australian Open, falling short to another young American giant-killer Alex Michelsen.
The young Californian, who celebrated his 20th birthday in August 2023, was making his second appearance at Australia’s Slam, capitalising on a cannon of a first serve to take the match to Tsitsipas and claim a historic 5-set win.
It’s the first time Michelsen has beaten a Top 20 player in his burgeoning career. Whilst he might not fall into the teenage category, it’s a seismic victory for the American prodigy, proving at this year’s Australian Open, the proverbial age over beauty debate continues for another year.
