PARIS — For 2 units on Friday afternoon, Novak Djokovic gave the impression to be nicely on his option to acquainted territory within the second week of the French Open.
He took a 6-4, 6-4 lead over Joao Fonseca, a 19-year-old rising Brazilian famous person, in Philippe Chatrier, defying intense warmth, unrelenting daylight and a vigorous crowd decked out in yellow and inexperienced jerseys and flags.
Whereas different high seeds, together with No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 5 Ben Shelton, suffered surprising early exits, the trail for the 39-year-old Djokovic to lastly win a document twenty fifth main title regarded more and more clear.
However nobody tried to inform Fonseca about it.
Within the third set, the up-and-coming teenager and twenty seventh seed got here again to life, electrifying the gang with highly effective ball-striking, highly effective serves and spectacular showmanship, taking a 3-0 lead. He closed the set behind consecutive aces and all of the sudden Djokovic’s victory was in jeopardy.
Djokovic appeared more and more fatigued, vomiting on court docket and affected by obvious hand cramps. However Fonseca soared. He pushed into the deciding set and by no means backed down. Fonseca ended the match with three wonderful aces in a row. Every time, the stadium drew a good louder crowd response than the following ace, till it reached its climax.
After a 4-hour, 53-minute match that pitted the previous in opposition to the brand new, the confirmed in opposition to the confirmed, and the current in opposition to the longer term, Fonseca did the unthinkable and defeated Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5. It additionally created unimaginable alternatives for himself and different members of the sector. France this 12 months could also be extra open than ever earlier than.
Djokovic’s departure leaves the boys’s draw with no main champion within the spherical of 16 for the primary time within the Open Period event. This may even be the primary time a brand new main champion will likely be topped at this event since Rafael Nadal in 2005. The crowning of a brand new famous person within the tennis world is definite.
Nonetheless struggling to determine what occurred on Friday? And questioning what all of it means for an already extremely unpredictable event? Let’s break it down.
When you missed the unimaginable Djokovic vs. Fonseca match, bear in mind with highlights from @emirates 💫 #RolandGarros #Emirates #FlyBetter pic.twitter.com/CMaMZmWLDQ
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) Could 29, 2026
How did Fonseca pull off the upset over Djokovic?
Djokovic entered the match with an astonishing document of 288 wins and 1 loss in main tournaments after profitable the primary two units. Djokovic has solely taken a fifth set six occasions, and his solely loss was to Jurgen Melzer within the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2010. Djokovic additionally by no means misplaced to a teenage participant in a event.
Fonseca, alternatively, has solely performed two matches in his profession that went to the fifth set. And after dropping the primary two units in Wednesday’s second-round match, he superior to the ultimate and was aiming to grow to be the primary teenager in practically 40 years to come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a number of matches.
However whereas different gamers talked about Djokovic’s aura and the way tough it might be to play in opposition to him, Fonseca remained undaunted. It was his first time enjoying in opposition to Fonseca, and it was his debut on the 15,000-seat Philippe Chatrier, however he was unfazed. Along with his again in opposition to the wall, he leveled up within the third set, beating Djokovic in his first service recreation and persevering with to struggle for each level.
“I used to be simply attempting to hit the ball as quick as I may,” he mentioned in an on-court interview.
Fonseca admitted to reporters that he did not really suppose he may flip it round going into the third set, however mentioned he began believing as soon as he received the set. He mentioned he observed how drained Djokovic regarded and that gave him hope. Fonseca was additionally so exhausted by the ultimate that he could not even suppose, however mentioned he simply performed “with all my coronary heart.”
He hit 11 aces within the match, together with 5 within the deciding set. He later joked that he felt like (ATP all-time ace chief) John Isner. “I’ve by no means executed something like this earlier than,” he mentioned.
Djokovic advised reporters that Fonseca was the “higher participant in necessary moments” within the last levels of the match.
“It was an incredible trade and level,” Djokovic mentioned. “Yeah, he discovered some unimaginable pictures and features. It was actually nice from his facet.”
Djokovic added that he had an opportunity to win, particularly as a result of he had a number of break factors whereas main 4-3 within the fourth set after which had an opportunity to serve for a 4-1 lead within the deciding match. However he mentioned he could not discover a method. In actual fact, I ran out of fuel.
“While you look again at necessary moments, may you will have executed something otherwise? Look, you may at all times say sure, however you simply must say ‘nicely executed’ and congratulate him,” Djokovic mentioned. “Hats off to him. He was simply enjoying lights out tennis. Each time there was a decisive second, he was going for it.”
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Djokovic: “Fonseca was higher than me”
What does this imply for Djokovic?
After Sinner’s shock loss to Juan Manuel Cerundro on Thursday, and with two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz out with a wrist harm, Djokovic grew to become the clear favourite for the title. Sinner and Alcaraz have dominated the majors for the reason that begin of the 2024 season, and it regarded like Djokovic’s probability to lastly win a record-breaking twenty fifth main title. Since then, he has appeared in two Grand Slam finals, however hasn’t received for the reason that 2023 US Open and has struggled primarily in opposition to the “massive two.” It was turning into more and more unsure whether or not he would have the ability to accomplish this feat.
Nevertheless, Djokovic refused to reply a query in his post-match press convention whether or not he had thought-about the potential for Sinner following his sending off. “I do not care. I will cease you there,” he mentioned. “No. I simply misplaced within the third spherical. Let’s discuss one thing else.”
Djokovic appeared tearful at occasions and advised reporters instantly after leaving the court docket that he didn’t know whether or not he would play at Roland Garros subsequent 12 months, merely saying, “I do not know.” He has hinted lately that he’s nearing retirement, however has not mentioned when he’ll retire. As he left court docket on Friday, he grew to become emotional and made a coronary heart gesture along with his arms.
There are lots of unknowns about Djokovic’s future, however he appeared typically glad along with his degree of competitors. Having missed a lot of the spring with a shoulder harm and having performed in solely two tournaments since shedding within the Australian Open last, he mentioned he was upset however did not suppose he may have executed something otherwise.
“I believe I performed good tennis, at a extremely good degree,” Djokovic mentioned. “When you consider being injured for 3 months and attempting to come back again, after which coming into an virtually straight Grand Slam on this floor, it is very demanding and it should take extra time for me to get used to it and discover my groove. All issues thought-about, contemplating all of the circumstances, I believe the extent was actually good.”
Djokovic has not supplied details about his future schedule, however historically he doesn’t play within the lead-in occasion on grass earlier than Wimbledon.
So who’s the present favourite to win the title?
That is the $3.27 million query. That is arguably probably the most wide-ranging and unpredictable main event for males’s groups lately. With three groups already eradicated, this would be the fewest top-five seeds to advance to the final 16 at a serious for the reason that 2017 U.S. Open.
And whereas Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer have lengthy dominated, with the latest rise of Sinner and Alcaraz, few have had an opportunity to interrupt via.
However now comes the enjoyable half.
Subsequent weekend, somebody in Paris can have the chance to do exactly that. In line with DraftKings Sportsbook, No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev, a three-time main finalist, at the moment has one of the best odds to win the title. He entered the court docket on Friday simply after Fonseca and Djokovic to face Quentin Harris.
However after that? That is virtually unbelievable. Rafael Jodard, one other high-profile 19-year-old who turned professional initially of the season and is enjoying in the primary draw for the second time in his profession, has the second-lowest odds. He superior to the fourth spherical early Friday after an exciting five-set battle with Alex Michelsen. Fonseca — lengthy touted as the following massive factor within the sport — is +700. He’ll subsequent face two-time Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud on Sunday.
As Fonseca talked about, this may be his first four-rounder in a serious, so he wasn’t precisely occupied with what was subsequent. that.
“I am simply occupied with the following recreation,” he mentioned. “The gamers (Ruud and third-round opponent Tommy Paul) are nonetheless enjoying and for now I am simply having fun with the second.”
Felix Auger-Aliassime is the highest seed behind No. 4 Zverev and can face American Brandon Nakashima on Saturday. Fellow People Francis Tiafoe (two-time main semi-finalist) and Lerner Tien, who simply received his first ATP clay title in Geneva, each made it to the third spherical.
after all, everybody Those that stay on the sector have an opportunity – and everybody will do the whole lot they will to grab the surprising alternative. Put together the popcorn.
