The image of Tomás Martín Etcheverry jumping on the Gustavo Kuerten centre court at the Rio Open while the Brazilian ball boys and ball girls chanted ‘Etche, Etche!’ in celebration of the Argentine confirms one thing: South America’s biggest tournament doesn’t really need Joao Fonseca.
The Rio Open has had a life of its own for some time now, regardless of what happens with local players: no Brazilian has lifted the singles trophy in its 12 editions, and the tournament has already had three consecutive Argentine champions without the public’s enthusiasm waning.
It does not matter if Fonseca does not win; the power and future of the tournament do not depend on him, and that is also great news for the 19-year-old Brazilian, who is under increasing and increasingly unfair pressure.
That said, how wonderful it is that Fonseca exists. This was made clear on Sunday with the electrifying and agonising victory of Fonseca and Marcelo Melo in the doubles final.
At this point, there is no doubt that playing in Rio de Janeiro, his home city, puts added pressure on the Brazilian.Becoming doubles champion is therefore a great help for the 2027 edition: he now knows what it feels like to be a champion on home soil… even if it is in doubles, and he has also gained hours of experience in the centre court named after Gustavo Kuerten, no less.
After an edition that had everything, from a visit by the head of the ATP, Andrea Gaudenzi, to thunderstorms interrupting the tournament, culminating in a frenetic and emotional finale, the tournament has emerged stronger. It was a week of raw emotions and the public, in the midst of Carnival, responded once again, as did the sponsors.
Does Rio need Fonseca? No, although having him is a blessing, and the story has only just begun, with much still to be written.
Does Rio need to switch to hard courts? Perhaps. But if that happens, some of its magic will be lost. South American tennis is essentially about clay, in hot and humid afternoons and evenings, with an enthusiastic crowd. Neither Rio nor Buenos Aires will be the same if they abandon the orange dust.
