Fonseca opens up before the start of Miami: "You need to surround yourself with people who keep you away from the media"

Fonseca is brimming with confidence ahead of his arrival in Miami. After winning the Phoenix Challenger, the Brazilian hopes to go further than he did at Indian Wells, where he lost to Britain's Draper in the second round (6-4, 6-0).

In an interview with Gill Gross on his YouTube channel, the 18-year-old player discussed his areas of improvement and the pressure generated by the media:

"My game is about being aggressive, and I love playing that way. I accept that I will make more mistakes, but also more winning shots. I want to be more solid on the important points, and I’m trying to figure out how to play in those moments.

Last year, when I played on indoor hard courts, it helped me a lot. My coach and I have studied the transition to the net a lot.

I practice volleys a lot. If you want to be a great player on hard courts, you have to go to the net, be aggressive, and finish points.

My coach and I have a saying: 'Pressure is a privilege.' 'The pressure will always be there, and so will the expectations. You need to stay focused and surround yourself with people who can help you.

That’s what I’m doing now. You need to surround yourself with people who keep you away from the media. The press always puts a lot of expectations and pressure on you.

Stay focused on yourself and on what you have to do. I’m very happy to be with the people who support me and help me achieve these things."

Joao Fonseca will face Learner Tien in the first round of the Miami Masters 1000.