MELBOURNE, Australia — Brazilian tennis player Joao Fonseca, the 28th seed, was eliminated in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday, losing to American Eliot Spizzirri 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Fonseca struggled with physical issues stemming from a recent back problem that forced him to withdraw from warm-up events in Brisbane and Adelaide.
The match, played on an outer court at Melbourne Park, saw Spizzirri take the opening set 6-4 while Fonseca showed signs of discomfort in his movement. Fonseca rebounded in the second set, winning 6-2 by increasing aggression from the baseline. Spizzirri regained control in the third set, taking it 6-1 as Fonseca’s energy visibly declined, and closed out the fourth set 6-2 to advance to the second round.
Tournament medical staff monitored Fonseca throughout the match, providing attention during changeovers as he stretched and moved cautiously between points. Fonseca confirmed after the match that he had managed a back problem in the lead-up to the tournament and said he accepted the result, expressing no regret for competing despite his recent injury.
Fonseca entered the Australian Open after a successful 2025 season that included ATP titles in Basel and Buenos Aires, which contributed to his 28th seed at the event. Organizers noted that his early exit marked one of the first seeded upsets in the men’s singles draw. Tournament statisticians said his seeding remains unchanged, though his ATP ranking may adjust following the tournament.
Spizzirri is scheduled to face his second-round opponent later this week. Fonseca’s team planned his departure from Melbourne after his singles elimination, and medical personnel will continue monitoring and treating his back condition.
