Joao Fonseca lost to Jakub Mensik, 4-6, 3-6, 6-7, in the quarter-finals of the French Open.
After beating Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud, Fonseca’s dream run came to an end in the quarter-finals.
How many Grand Slam titles will Joao Fonseca win in his career?
What a match!
The Brazilian fought hard, but was no match for Mensik, as the Czech booked his place in the semis.
Former Grand Slam finalist Greg Rusedski has now highlighted the biggest weakness in Fonseca’s game.
Greg Rusedski says Joao Fonseca’s ‘defensive capabilities’ need to improve
During the latest episode of ‘Off Court Cuts‘, Rusedski delivered his verdict on Fonseca.
“[Joao] Fonseca is the real deal, but it’s still going to take a little bit more time for him to get to the semis or final of a major,” said Rusedski.
“But you feel like on clay courts is probably his best chance to win a major, but he’s just not ready yet.
“What was fascinating against [Jakub] Mensik was when he was pushed back on the back foot; his defensive capabilities aren’t quite there yet.
“They will get there, but when he’s on the front foot, he’s a much better player.
“And that’s where tactically Mensik was so astute, not allowing him to have that time.”
Rusedski does, however, believe that with the crowd behind him, it’s only a matter of time before Fonseca breaks into the world’s elite.
“It almost feels like a home match wherever he plays. You look at Miami and Indian Wells, the crowd is going nuts, you have all the South Americans, Brazilians,” he said.
“Look at Paris, you had Guga [Kuerten] in the front row, the last Brazilian man to win a Slam.
“The crowds were behind him; they just loved the energy and the explosiveness.
“It’s just a matter of time before that kid gets in the top five; he is excellent, good for the game.
“His problem has been that he hasn’t been healthy enough; he played injured in Australia this year with the back, which I think was a little bit of a mistake, but he’s back to his health.
“He’s the real deal; lots of people love him, he’s got the look, he’s got the game, the future is very bright for the young man.”
Live ATP Rankings
| Rank | Name | Age | Country | Points |
| 21 | Arthur Fils | 21 | France | 1,940 |
| 22 | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | 26 | Spain | 1,860 |
| 23 | Rafael Jodar | 19 | Spain | 1,849 |
| 24 | Arthur Rinderknech | 30 | France | 1,776 |
| 25 | Joao Fonseca | 19 | Brazil | 1,735 |
| 26 | Frances Tiafoe | 28 | USA | 1,705 |
| 27 | Francisco Cerundolo | 27 | Argentina | 1,660 |
| 28 | Tommy Paul | 29 | USA | 1,645 |
| 29 | Cameron Norrie | 30 | Great Britain | 1,595 |
| 30 | Tomas Martin Etcheverry | 26 | Argentina | 1,510 |
Fonseca currently sits 25th in the Live ATP Rankings, trailing the world number five, Ben Shelton, by over 2,000 points.
The 19-year-old has bags of potential, although we have yet to see him find any real consistent form on tour.
After making a slow start to his 2026 campaign, Fonseca found his footing at Indian Wells, but has yet to reach a semi-final this year.
Joao Fonseca’s 2026 results
- Australian Open – Lost in 1R to Eliot Spizzirri
- Argentina Open – Lost in 2R to Alejandro Tabilo
- Rio Open – Lost in 2R to Ignacio Buse
- Indian Wells – Lost in 4R to Jannik Sinner
- Miami Open – Lost in 2R to Carlos Alcaraz
- Monte Carlo Masters – Lost in QF to Alexander Zverev
- Munich Open – Lost in QF to Ben Shelton
- Madrid Open – Lost in 3R to Rafael Jodar
- Italian Open – Lost in 2R to Hamad Medjedovic
- French Open – Lost in QF to Jakub Mensik
If he wants to break through and become a top-five player, that will have to change.
Fonseca must now turn his attention to grass, a surface he has far less experience on than the clay.
He will begin his grass-court campaign at the Halle Open in Germany later this month.
Greg Rusedski predicts who will win the 2026 French Open
Rusedski believes Germany’s Alexander Zverev has what it takes to win this year’s French Open, especially with Fonseca out of the picture.
How many major titles will Alexander Zverev retire with if he wins the 2026 French Open?
He's the favourite to win in Paris…
“I feel like he is in a good position, just because of the fact that he is playing Mensik in the semis rather than Fonseca,” said Rusedski.
2026 French Open semi-finals
- Matteo Arnaldi vs [10] Flavio Cobolli
- [26] Jakub Mensik vs [2] Alexander Zverev
“I kind of feel like the pressure is on [Alexander] Zverev, but he’s going to find the solution.
“Zverev, he can kind of nullify the power of Mensik by standing a little bit further back on returns, then work his way up the court.
“I feel it’s Zverev time; he’s going to take advantage, he’s going to find a way, and I feel like he’s going to win the title.”
The second seed is just two wins away from a maiden Grand Slam title.
Zverev will play Mensik in the semi-finals on Friday, June 5.
