Joao Fonseca has arrived, having toppled Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller at a Grand Slam no less.
It marks the culmination of years of steady progress, with the last 12 months marking a true breakthrough for the Brazilian phenomenon.
Having established himself as a genuine threat on the ATP Tour, we had yet to see him truly overcome one of the sport’s very best.
And, across the last few months, he was gifted that opportunity, enjoying first-ever matches against Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, but losing them all.
How many Grand Slam titles will Joao Fonseca win in his career?
What a match!
These tough defeats clearly paid dividends though, as when he played Novak Djokovic yesterday, he seemed to have evolved.
Joao Fonseca spoke about the 39-year-old after their match, and had nothing but kind words for this legendary competitor.
Joao Fonseca names his tennis GOAT
Speaking whilst on the TNT Sports desk, as the sun had set on the Roland Garros grounds, he assessed what will be remembered as a landmark performance in his young career.
Describing it as a ‘crazy experience’, and having struggled to sleep the night before, Fonseca admitted: “We had never practised.
“And, yeah, I already told him in interviews, like, for me, it was just a pleasure just stepping on court, and I was just trying to be grateful and just play my best. And I know, absolutely second set, I was not believing at all in my game. He was destroying me.
“I think when I won the third set, I started believing a little bit, but I just focused point by point and match by match, but Djokovic is for sure an idol for this sport.”
He then, unprompted, weighed into the GOAT debate: “I mean, him and Roger [Federer], I’m a Roger fan, but I know Djokovic is the GOAT, but I wish it could be Roger, but I mean, it’s life.
“But yeah, for sure it was an amazing experience and just very grateful, just for this day. It was difficult to realise when it finished that I really won, and for me, I was, like, fifth set, I was just not thinking at all. Like, just playing.”
Martin Navratilova named her greatest tennis player of all time a few years ago, but surprisingly opted for a player who starred well before the Big Three.
Joao Fonseca explains what Novak Djokovic did so well in their Roland Garros match
In his press conference, Fonseca echoed a similar sentiment whilst discussing how Djokovic made the match so difficult for him.
He admitted: “I think Djokovic knows how to handle the rhythm really well. It’s difficult to play him because it feels like he’s putting the ball where he wants. Sometimes the ball is low and goes deep, and you need to keep up your footwork, and you need to go hard.
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“The guy just doesn’t give up at any time. He’s 39, and it feels like he’s 20. It’s just unbelievable.”
Having lost the opening two sets, it seemed as tough Fonseca was headed for a straightforward exit at the hands of his GOAT.
However, he rallied back, explaining how much it took to turn the tide: “Like I said in the first two sets, it was difficult for me. I was trying to do something. Nothing was going well. I was missing some opportunities I had and some easy shots.
“I think in the 3rd set I started putting a little bit more of deep returns and going more aggressive with margin. Became a little bit more solid. Constructing a little bit better the points. I think staying a little more aggressive with more consistency. Because in the beginning he was doing a lot of drop shots. Every time he was aggressive, he did drop shots. He was constructing the point very well.
“For me, it was difficult. I think that was the main point. Trying to be more aggressive in the return plus one. Same in the serves. His return is unbelievable. For me it was difficult to hold my serve. I think I felt him a little bit more tired and that gave me more hope to keep finding solutions in the game.”
