Djokovic out of French Open after Fonseca’s epic comeback win

Novak Djokovic of Serbia, right, and Joao Fonseca of Brazil hug after their third round men’s singles tennis match at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca knocked Novak Djokovic out in the third round of the French Open on Friday to scupper the Serbian great’s latest quest for a record 25th Grand Slam.

Fonseca, 19, rallied from two sets down for the second straight match to stun the 39-year-old Djokovic with a phenomenal display of power-hitting.

READ: French Open: Who remains in contention after Jannik Sinner’s exit?

Fonseca triumphed 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 after four hours and 53 minutes to make 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 and enjoyed being on court. What an idol we have (in Djokovic) and what a pleasure it was to step on the court against him.”

“I was just trying to hit the ball as fast as I could. Djokovic doesn’t miss and we still think he’s 20.”

Joao Fonseca of Brazil celebrates winning the third round men’s singles tennis match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Friday, May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

Djokovic’s exit comes a day after the shock elimination of world number one 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.

READ: Djokovic hints at retirement as time seeps away on history bid

“What an incredible match to be part of,” said Djokovic, who had led by a break early in the final set but was unable to see it through.

“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. He was just better.”

Fonseca will next play two-time Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud, who saved two match points in a 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 win over 24th seed Tommy Paul.

A wide open draw could pave the way for Alexander Zverev to get his hands on an elusive Grand Slam trophy.

Second seed Zverev, a three-time runner-up at the majors including two years ago in Paris, saw off Frenchman Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in the night session.

Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar outlasted Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (5/7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to extend his best Grand Slam run.

Dutchman Jesper de Jong took down 13th seed Karen Khachanov in five sets to also reach the last 16 for the first time.

Andrey Rublev beat Nuno Borges in straight sets, while Jakub Mensik dumped out eighth seed Alex de Minaur 0-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.