By Leo Canaparo . Director of TENNIS7.NET and tennis coach
One of the defining weapons of Joao Fonseca’s game is his lightning-fast forehand — a shot that combines effortless power, precision, and timing. As a coach, when analyzing his stroke, three fundamental elements stand out: early contact, leg engagement, and racquet-head acceleration through impact.
Fonseca’s forehand is a textbook example of efficient kinetic chain transfer — the seamless flow of energy from the ground up. The movement begins with a strong and balanced base. His legs generate the initial force, loading deeply into the ground before driving upward and forward. This upward thrust from the legs is what transfers momentum to the torso, then into the shoulder, arm, and finally the racquet head.
The second key is early contact with the ball. Fonseca meets the ball slightly in front of his body, allowing him to strike while the racquet is still accelerating forward. Early contact ensures clean energy transfer and prevents the stroke from becoming a pushing motion. It also gives him the ability to dictate play and redirect pace effectively — a vital trait on fast hard courts.
Fonseca maintains a loose, relaxed wrist and forearm, which allows for whip-like acceleration of the racquet tip. Just before contact, his racquet drops below the ball in a deep “lag” position, storing elastic energy. Then, as the hips and shoulders uncoil, the racquet head explodes upward and forward, brushing through the ball with incredible speed. This late, explosive acceleration is what creates both power and heavy topspin.
A final, often overlooked aspect is balance after contact. Fonseca finishes his forehand in full control, his weight naturally transferring onto the front foot, with his chest facing the target. This stable follow-through ensures recovery efficiency for the next shot — a crucial detail in modern baseline tennis.
For players looking to emulate Fonseca’s forehand, the focus should not be on muscling the ball but on sequencing — allowing each part of the body to contribute power in harmony. Strong legs, early preparation, and a fluid racquet acceleration are the cornerstones. When executed correctly, the result is that same blend of youthful explosiveness and technical mastery that has already made Joao Fonseca one of the brightest emerging forces in world tennis.