Ahead of returning home for the Rio Open, Fonseca declared that he was fit and did not have any injury concerns.

However, after suffering a straight sets defeat to Alexandre Muller in the first round, Fonseca revealed why he lost in front of his vocal home crowd.

Despite enjoying his victory over the teenage sensation, Muller backed Fonseca to achieve big things in his career.

What Alexander Zverev told Joao Fonseca at the Rio Open

Alexander Zverev said he speaks to Fonseca regularly prior to the ATP 500 tournament getting underway, and that contact has continued since the Brazilian’s most recent defeat.

When answering questions in his own press conference at the Rio Open, Zverev revealed what he said to Fonseca following his defeat to Muller as he made a big ranking prediction for the 18-year-old.

“I told him it’s perfectly normal to lose early in the week after winning your first title,” said Zverev. “I really like him, as a player and as a person.

“He’ll definitely be in the top 10 or top 5, but things don’t happen overnight. It won’t happen now or tomorrow.”

Following his exit from the Rio Open, Fonseca will now head to the US to play the sunshine double of Indian Wells and Miami Open.

Fonseca is confirmed to make his main draw debut at Indian Wells after receiving one of the initial wildcards.

Alexander Zverev rates his own performances at the Rio Open

While Fonseca is no longer in the Rio Open, Zverev has progressed to the quarter-finals after winning two straight set matches.

Although he is yet to drop a set, Zverev was not happy with his first round win over Yunchaokete Bu.

However, after beating Alexander Shevchenko in two tie-break sets, Zverev was more pleased with his game.

Although, Zverev did draw reference to the balls changing, something that Carlos Alcaraz has also linked to injuries.

“I think I played better today than in the first round,” said Zverev. “The balls here are a bit dead, it’s bad for my elbow, but I feel like I’m playing better. If you look at the results of my career on clay, historically I always play better from the third or fourth week onwards, so I’m happy with my level.”

Zverev is bidding to win Roland Garros this year, having been one set away from the title in 2024 in the final against Alcaraz.

Before then, Zverev will continue his bid for the Rio Open title in his quarter-final match against Francisco Comesana.