PARIS — Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca knocked Novak Djokovic out in the third round of the French Open to scupper the Serbian great’s latest quest for a record 25th Grand Slam.
The 19-year-old Fonseca rallied from two sets down for the second straight match to stun Djokovic with a phenomenal display of power-hitting.
Fonseca triumphed 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 after four hours and 53 minutes to make it through to the last 16 of a major for the first time.
Asked how he kept believing after falling behind, Fonseca replied: “I actually didn’t.
“I just kept playing. I just enjoyed being on court. What a pleasure it was stepping on court with him (Djokovic) for the first time,” he said according to AFP.
“I was trying to hit the ball as fast as I could. Djokovic, he does not miss.”
Fonseca will next play two-time Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud or American 24th seed Tommy Paul.
Djokovic’s exit comes a day after the shock elimination of world No 1 and red-hot title favourite Jannik Sinner.
It means there will be a first-time men’s Grand Slam champion this year at the French Open, ending a run of nine successive majors won by Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz.
“What an incredible match to be part of,” said Djokovic.
“Huge credit to Joao for really deserving to win the match. Without a doubt he was the better player in crucial moments.”
Djokovic has been stuck on 24 majors since the 2023 US Open and may not get a better chance to add to that haul. Two-time defending champion Alcaraz was already absent in Paris due to injury.
“You just have to say well done and congratulate him. He played lights-out tennis,” Djokovic said of Fonseca.
“I don’t think I’ve done much wrong with my game. He was just better.”
Alexander Zverev, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, is best placed to capitalise on the wide open draw. The second seed plays Frenchman Quentin Halys in the night session.
