Djokovic knocked out of French Open by Brazilian teenager

Friday, 29 May 2026 22:07

Novak Djokovic's hopes of a 25th Grand Slam title have been set back after a shock defeat to Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca at the French Open.

Fonseca, 19, becomes the first teenager to beat Djokovic, 39, in a Grand Slam match after winning 4-6 4-6 6-3 ‌7-5 7-5 in the third-round on Friday.

"I actually didn't believe I could win the ‌match, I just played and enjoyed being on the court," Fonseca said.

"What an idol we have and what a pleasure it was to step on the court against him, so I thank him. I'm very happy.

"I was just trying to hit the ball as fast as I could, I mean Djokovic doesn't miss and we still think he's 20.

"At the end of the match he was more fit than me, which is crazy and when the day was getting darker I felt much slower.

"In the beginning I was struggling with the heat and not feeling good."

It means the eventual winner of Roland Garros this year will be a first time major winner, after Jannik Sinner's shock defeat on Thursday and Carlos Alcaraz missing the tournament due to a wrist injury.

Sinner was a huge favourite to win this year's title - the only Grand Slam trophy he hasn't lifted - and was on a 30-match winning streak.

The Italian top seed cruised through the first two sets against world number 56 Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and at 5-1 up in the third was just four points from victory.

However, soaked in sweat and bent over on court at 0-40 down in the 10th game of set three, he was forced to leave for a medical timeout.

Courtside mics recorded him saying he felt dizzy and like he "wanted to vomit" in temperatures that reached 32C (90F).

He eventually lost the match 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1.

Sky News