Alcaraz, Djokovic tip ‘incredible’ teenager Fonseca for the top

MELBOURNE: Carlos Alcaraz tipped giant-killing teenager Joao Fonseca to “really soon” be one of the best players in the world while Novak Djokovic said Wednesday he saw shades of his younger self in the Brazilian.

“What can I say about it? Just incredible. I mean, the way he played his first Grand Slam match against his first top-10 player, it’s unbelievable,” the Spaniard said after easing into the Melbourne third round. “The way he approached the match, the way he handled everything, the nerves, the match in general, it’s been fantastic.

“He’s going to be there,” he added of the 112th-ranked Fonseca making it big.

“It’s just the beginning of the year, just one win in a Grand Slam, but he’s going to be there. “We’re going to put Joao Fonseca’s name on the list of the best players in the world really soon.”

Djokovic, who is bidding for an 11th Australian Open title and record 25th Slam crown, said he had been following Fonseca’s career over the past 12 months.

“I’ve been a fan of his game. I’ve been watching him also last year,” he said, adding that he reminded him of what he was like as a teenager.