Fonseca ends Djokovic’s Grand Slam bid in French Open upset
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca rallies from two sets down to defeat Novak Djokovic in the third round, marking the first time a teen has beaten the Serbian at a major tournament.
Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title came to an end at the French Open on Friday, following a fifth-set defeat to Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca. The 19-year-old Fonseca overcame a two-set deficit to secure a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 victory in a match that lasted four hours and 53 minutes, marking the first time a teenager has defeated Djokovic at a major tournament.
Fonseca’s resilience was evident as he rallied from two sets down for the second consecutive match, advancing to the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career. The result concludes Djokovic’s campaign at Roland Garros, where he had been seeking to extend his historic tally of major titles.
The Brazilian’s next opponent will be either two-time Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud or American 24th seed Tommy Paul. Fonseca’s performance places him among a new generation of competitors, alongside fellow 19-year-old Rafael Jodar, who has also advanced to the second week of the tournament with a strong clay-court record in 2026.
The upset occurs against a backdrop of significant shifts in the men’s tour, highlighted by the early exit of world number one Jannik Sinner. The pre-tournament favourite was eliminated in the second round by Juan Manuel Cerundolo after collapsing due to extreme heat, losing 18 of the last 20 games in a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 defeat.
Sinner’s loss marks the first time a men’s number one seed has exited in the second round or earlier since Andre Agassi, ending a 30-match winning streak. The convergence of these high-profile exits underscores a volatile period in the sport, with Fonseca’s victory serving as a pivotal moment in the 2026 French Open field.
