Novak Djokovic lost to Joao Fonseca, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 5-7, in the third round of the French Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion led by two sets to love but couldn’t quite get over the line as Fonseca produced a mighty comeback on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Gracious in defeat, Djokovic embraced Fonseca at the net as the pair exchanged words.
How many Grand Slam titles will Joao Fonseca win in his career?
What a match!
Later, during his press conference, Djokovic revealed what he said to Fonseca.
Novak Djokovic told Joao Fonseca he deserved the win and that he should be proud of himself
“Of course, I congratulated him and told him that he deserved to win, played an unbelievable match, and he should be proud of himself, and was wishing him good luck for the rest of the tournament,” said Djokovic.
“The kind of level of tennis we’ve seen him play has created a lot of hype around him, and I think we’ve all seen today why there is hype around him.
“The level was amazing.”
Djokovic spoke about the match itself, which was entertaining from start to finish.
“An incredible match to be a part of, obviously a tough one for me to lose, being two sets to love up, but huge credit to Joao for really deserving to win the match,” he said.
“I think he, without a doubt, was the better player in the important moments.
“In the crucial fourth and fifth [sets],. Some amazing exchanges and points, he found incredible shots, lines, it was just amazing from his side.
“Obviously it’s not great for me to be facing a player playing such a level, but yeah, I don’t think I’ve done too much wrong with my game; it was just that he was better.”
Djokovic was later asked if he believes Fonseca can achieve great things in tennis.
“Hopefully, hopefully,” he said.
“He definitely has the potential to do that.
“Things have to come together, and, of course, he’s very professional from what I’ve seen so far the last couple of years he’s been on the tour, which is a pre-condition for success.
“Talent he’s got, firepower, he’s got.
“The whole Brazilian nation cheering him up, there is a lot of excitement around him, rightfully so.
“So hopefully he can be the next great thing, win Slams, I definitely wish to see that.”
Defeating Djokovic, Fonseca booked his place in the fourth-round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
At 19, the Brazilian wonderkid has already won two ATP titles and defeated arguably the greatest player of all time.
If that’s not the making of a future all-time great, I don’t know what is!
Where does Novak Djokovic go from here?
Fonseca has decades to leave his mark on the sport, but Djokovic is realistically approaching the end of his legendary career.
Now 39, Djokovic will need to become the oldest Slam winner in the history of the sport if he is to pick up an elusive 25th major.
This was a great chance, and one Djokovic could not afford to miss out on.
His two greatest rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, were both out of contention, leaving him as a big favourite to win the title.
After Sinner lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the third round, we asked our fans on TalkingPoints who the title favourite was, and they answered emphatically.
TalkingPoints fans French Open men’s singles vote share
- Novak Djokovic – 43%
- Alexander Zverev – 31%
- Casper Ruud – 16%
- Other – 7%
- Ben Shelton – 2% (eliminated)
But he couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity of a lifetime, failing to reach the second week of Roland Garros.
That might not have been his last chance, but it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t his best.
Luckily for Djokovic, Wimbledon is coming up, an event he’s won seven times previously.
Two-time champion Alcaraz will miss the event due to injury, but he may need to beat the world number one, Sinner, en route to the title.
Still, the prospect of beating one of the top two is infinitely ‘easier’ than beating both!
If Djokovic fails to win Wimbledon with Alcaraz missing this year, that might well be it for the dream of number 25…
The 2026 Wimbledon Championships begin on Monday, June 29.
