João Fonseca Stuns Novak Djokovic in French Open Upset
Novak Djokovic’s ambition to secure a 25th Grand Slam title faced an unexpected halt. The young talent from Brazil, João Fonseca, managed to defeat him in a breathtaking five-set match during the French Open on Friday night. The final scores were 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, spanning four hours and 53 minutes of intense play.
At 39, Djokovic may not find a clearer path to breaking the Grand Slam record he shares with Margaret Court. Notably missing were Carlos Alcaraz, who is recovering from a wrist injury, and Jannik Sinner, who exited earlier, offering Djokovic a seemingly open path. Yet, amidst the Paris heat, reaching nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit, Djokovic was unable to maintain his two-set lead over Fonseca.
Fonseca, age 19 and playing his debut match against Djokovic on a major Grand Slam stage, emerged victorious. He became only the second player to beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion after trailing two sets. The first was Jürgen Melzer at the French Open in 2010. Djokovic’s shoulder injury limited his play since March 12, impacting his performance.
The promising road to potential success was clear, especially with Alcaraz’s absence from Wimbledon later in June. Following Sinner’s defeat by Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in another match, Sinner expressed the need for recovery.
In the initial stages, Djokovic dictated play, thwarting Fonseca’s movement with precise drop-shot and lob combinations. Although initially dominant, signs of physical strain became evident, especially as the match went into its third hour. Fonseca capitalized on this with sharp forehands, drawing energy from the supportive Brazilian crowd.
Despite the physical challenges, Djokovic fought fiercely, holding off multiple break points with strategic play. Yet, Fonseca’s persistence saw him secure breaks at critical moments, flipping the match’s dynamics and leading to a decisive fifth set.
João Fonseca pulled off a significant achievement by reversing the roles. Where Djokovic was once the enforcer, Fonseca turned the tables, serving aces to secure victory and earn a memorable win.
This triumph over Djokovic is a noteworthy milestone for Fonseca, drawing parallels to Roger Federer’s victory over Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001. Such a defining win elevates Fonseca’s standing, reinforcing his potential as a rising star in the tennis world.