After top favorite Jannik Sinner, another contender for the French Open title has been eliminated. Grand Slam record winner Novak Djokovic failed in a dramatic match against top talent Joao Fonseca.
An ice pack on his cheek on the left, a second one on the right: During these breaks on his bench, Novak Djokovic looked as if he had just undergone a bad dental operation. The 39-year-old had to really suffer on Friday evening in the generational duel against the Brazilian Joao Fonseca, who is 20 (!) years younger. Enjoyment is different. Djokovic was physically at his limit in this high-class exchange of blows at the French Open. And ultimately lost the five-set thriller in the third round 6:4, 6:4, 3:6, 5:7, 5:7. After Jannik Sinner, the next tennis superstar is out!
Djokovic actually started the game as fresh as a 39-year-old can be. He led 4-1 after 20 minutes. And how: High variance in the punches, convincing footwork. Fonseca, for his part, struggled with his nerves at the beginning and missed even the simplest balls.
Fonseca plays brilliant tennis
On the one hand, it was understandable, as it was only his second participation in Paris. On the other hand, not what he can do. That remains to be seen. Towards the end of the first set, Fonseca came in better, made the second round even and was still 0-2 behind after sets.
Anyone who expected the 24-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia to make a breakthrough underestimated the level of his opponent. Fonseca played brilliant tennis with his back to the wall, the initial burden had long since fallen off his shoulders and landed on those of the increasingly tired Djokovic. Fonseca’s balls scratched the lines in rows. The third set deservedly went to the 19-year-old.
Pure drama in sentences four and five
From the fourth round onwards the match became even more dramatic, with the momentum constantly swinging back and forth. Djokovic put everything into it and wanted to avoid a fifth set at all costs – in vain. With the last of his strength he dragged himself into the decisive act, took an enormous amount of time with his serves and had to take deep breaths during the short breaks. Without success.
Fonseca was in full flow, carried by the enthusiastic crowd and his now sensational punches. He succeeded in almost everything. After almost five hours, he threw his arms up into the Parisian evening sky. It was done. Novak Djokovic was done – in both senses of the word.
