Quote du jour: Joao Fonseca loving Paris crowds as "Fonsequismo" hits Roland Garros

PARIS, France—The toughest task in tennis was once said to be playing Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. With the 14-time champion now retired, one monumental challenge still remains: Facing a French opponent—and their vocal, partisan fans—in Paris.

Too bad no one informed Joao Fonseca about that.

The Brazilian’s legion of chanting, yellow-and-green clad fans went toe-to-toe with the home crowd as he faced Pierre-Hugues Herbert on a rocking Court 14. And, in a rare coup, they actually won. Cries of Allez! were joyfully drowned out by Joao Fonseca! chants, as the 18-year-old powered his way to a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory.

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“I would say Brazilians, when they are in trouble, they find a way to manage themselves,” Fonseca told press afterward. “I would say in important moments I just try to be brave, to (have) courage…

“I think that's the difference between the good guys in the Top 50 (and) the Top 10; they need to be brave, they need to know how to play in important moments.

“(I’m) happy the way that I played on these important moments and was good mentally through the whole match.”

Fonseca Mania—or Fonsequismo, as it's known in Brazil—has officially landed at Roland Garros. Court 14 was the place to be on Thursday afternoon, with fans firmly in their seats within half an hour of doors opening at Roland-Garros. (Mind you, Fonseca-Herbert was scheduled as the third match.)

PHOTOS: Joao Fonseca wins Roland Garros debut against Hubert Hurkacz on packed Court 7

Several visiting players have taken issue with the French crowd’s level of involvement in each match. Complaints include chanting and singing that regularly delays the serving player, booing and whistling of every double fault and every routine check of a ball mark, and, in one unfortunate incident, a piece of gum being thrown during a game.

For Fonseca, though? It’s all just another Thursday for the Rio de Janeiro native, as he explained in our Tennis.com Quote du jour:

Q. Some players are complaining about the atmosphere created by the French, saying it's not respectful. What's your opinion on it?

JOAO FONSECA: I mean, I came from Brazil… (laughter)

I went to a lot of matches, football matches. It's loud. Brazilian people are loud also.

I just respect. I just feel it's nice, I mean, the rivalry between the crowds. Today was just super nice to see the Brazilians calling my name, and then the French ones calling Pierre's name…

It's just nice. I hope they respect more between serves and during the points and just respect the players. For me, it's fine.

It all seemed to catch up with Fonseca after the match, though, as he let the tears flow after securing his spot in the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

“Today is my mother’s birthday, and I think I also got more emotional after seeing my grandmother crying when she came onto the court to thank me,” he said in Portuguese, crying as well in an on-court interview.

“I’d like to thank all the supporters that have been following me and believing in me. I think there’s been a lot of pressure on me over the last few matches, so I can only thank my family and my team for helping me.

“This is a very difficult sport, but I’m young and I’m enjoying every moment.”

Fonseca will next face No. 5 seed Jack Draper, who also ousted a Frenchman on Thursday as he defeated Gael Monfils, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the Court Philippe-Chartrier night session.