PARIS — João Fonseca delivered a stunning upset on Friday, eliminating Novak Djokovic and confirming that the 2026 edition of Roland Garros is the most open and unpredictable in 20 years.
The Brazilian recovered from a two-set deficit to claim the greatest victory of his life, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, over the most successful player of all time, advancing to the fourth round at Roland Garros.
“I couldn’t believe it, I just enjoyed it. What a pleasure to play against Novak, what a great idol we have in our sport. I thanked him. I’m so happy,” Fonseca said in his on-court interview with former Spanish player Alex Corretja.
“He almost never misses. I think we all feel like Novak is still 20 years old. I started the match feeling overwhelmed by the heat, but I adapted. I just thought I could hit aces… I felt like John Isner!” he said, referencing the towering North American who stands 208 centimetres tall.
You have to go back to 2004 to find a Roland Garros this open and unpredictable. Djokovic’s elimination comes on the heels of world number one Jannik Sinner’s exit on Thursday.
The Brazilian, cheered on by the crowd at Philippe Chatrier — with many of his compatriots in the stands — grabbed the microphone and dedicated the win to his mother Roberta on her birthday.
“I need to say two things: first, I want to say hello to my mom, it’s her birthday… ¡happy birthday mom! And last… Obrigado a todos los brasileños. ¡Estamos en la cuarta ronda, próximo partido vamos con todo!”
For a place in the quarterfinals in Paris, the 19-year-old will face the winner of the match between Norway’s Casper Ruud and North American Tommy Paul.
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