A couple of days after Joao Fonseca electrified Paris with a remarkable win over Novak Djokovic, the Brazilian flags were being waved with pride around Roland Garros again.

 

But in a blessing for the many fans of Fonseca, who was pitted against Casper Ruud in a Sunday night match, there was much for them to appreciate during the day at the Roland Garros Junior Championships.

 

The Roland Garros junior boys' and girls' singles draws began on Sunday and featured three exciting talents from Brazil: Victoria Luiza Barros, Eduarda Gomes and Pedro Henrique Chabalgoity – and to say the trio were well supported would be an understatement.

 

Fonseca was formerly ranked No. 1 in the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings after conquering all before him to be crowned US Open boys' champion in 2023. Hours before the 19-year-old featured in his fourth round match, which was his best run at a Grand Slam, Brazilian supporters were cheering on his junior compatriots on a chilly day.

 

Chabalgoity, who defeated Australian Mustafa Ege Sik 6-3 7-5 in a tough encounter, won a J300 tournament in Brazil in March and showed impressive resolve late when, after dropping serve initially when trying to close out the match, he won the final eight points from 5-all.

 

“It was a tough match against Mustafa because he’s an Australian player, so he played very fast and he is a good player,” Chabalgoity said. 

 

“And I was a little bit nervous because in the first round, of course, I want to win and he wants to win too, so I served for the match at 5-4 and I felt the pressure, but I continued to focus and I won the match.”

 

After his win, the 18-year-old celebrated with fans sitting courtside and said the bonus of Fonseca playing that night was that it drew Brazilian supporters to the courts earlier.

 

He has practiced with Fonseca in Brazil and even though they are similar in age, Chabalgoity said his slightly older compatriot was an inspiration to him.

 

“Joao is a great inspiration and I love his style, he is just amazing on the court,” he said.

“It's a very nice experience to play on this court with the Brazilian crowd. It's amazing.

 

"Joao is playing here, so everybody's here watching him and watching us junior players, so I want to say thank you to everybody, for every Brazilian in the crowd.”

 

Barros, who made her Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge debut for Brazil in April, played superbly in her match as well.

 

Pitted against Adelina Lachinova from Latvia, the 16-year-old played with poise when it mattered most and was always in control when victorious 6-3 6-2 in 1hr 03min.

 

She is currently ranked No. 4 in the ITF World Tennis Tour girls' ranking and earlier in May won the biggest singles title of her career so far – at J50 Offenbach in Germany.

 

It was a big moment for Gomes, who at the age of 13 was playing in her first Grand Slam, while she demonstrated immense promise against Ukrainian Sofiia Bielinska.

 

The left-hander earned a wildcard by winning the Roland Garros Junior Series in Brazil last month – she is the youngest ever winner – and performed admirably despite falling 6-3 7-6(2).

 

Before matches her dad, who comes from a family of tennis players in Palmas in southwestern Parana, writes messages of encouragement for Gomes on her racket’s grip.

 

While Fonseca is the current star, the family were inspired to play tennis by the deeds of the former Brazilian champion Gustavo Kuerten, a three-time Roland Garros champion.

 

The crowd came to life when she saved a match point with a superb response to an underarm serve at 5-4, waving Brazilian fans while chanting their encouragement. 

 

Less vocal but no less appreciative on the other side of the court was former Brazilian star Andre Sa, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist in 2002, who clapped with approval as his fellow left-handed whipped a big forehand winner to edge deep in the second set.

 

While Gomes was disappointed in defeat, she showed her graciousness for the support of the fans by posing for photographs and signing autographs for several minutes.

 

In an interview translated from Portuguese by her father and coach Sullevan Andres Bueno, she said that she had really enjoyed the experience of competing at Roland Garros.

 

“It was very fun to play with so many people on my side. It was something that I loved,” she said.

 

A full list of results from the 2026 Roland Garros Junior Championships can be found here.