First, it was Carlos Alcaraz who chose not to compete. Then, it was Jannik Sinner who was defeated in a second-round upset. And if that wasn’t enough, tennis legend and world No. 4 Novak Djokovic is also out of the French Open.
The man behind this Djokovic upset? A Brazilian teenager who turned pro just over two years ago. Meet Joao Fonseca.
Fonseca had an offer from the University of Virginia, but chose to go pro instead in 2024. He was just 17 at the time, and has now taken down a tennis legend at 19.
Here’s what to know about the unbelievable upset from one of the sport’s newest budding stars.
MORE: Novak Djokovic gets testy with cameraman during French Open loss
Who is Joao Fonseca?
Joao Fonseca is a 19-year-old Brazilian tennis pro, who entered this year’s French Open ranked No. 30 in the world by ATP. He is also currently the highest-ranking Brazilian tennis player on the Singles circuit.
This marks the first time that Fonseca has made it past the third round of a Grand Slam tournament. He previously made the third round twice, during Wimbledon and the French Open, both in 2025.
Most recently, he has garnered international recognition for beating Novak Djokovic in the third round of the 2026 French Open. This match went the full five sets, with Djokovic winning the first two 6-4 before Fonseca stormed back.
Celebrating a special moment! 🫶
João Fonseca is reunited with his team following a sensational five-set victory over Novak Djokovic! pic.twitter.com/Hgr1BmgQoc
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 29, 2026
This reverse sweep was the second in a row for Fonseca, who also trailed 2-0 in sets against unranked Dino Prizmic in the second round.
MORE: Where does Juan Manuel Cerundolo win over Jannik Sinner rank on the list of tennis’ biggest upsets?
Joao Fonseca-Novak Djokovic result
Fonseca and Djokovic went to the full five sets in this third-round matchup with Fonseca completing his second consecutive reverse sweep.
Djokovic won the first two sets, each by a score of six games to four. Fonseca took a dominant 6-3 victory in the third set with sets four and five going to a deuce after tying at wifive. Fonseca took each of these final sets by a score of 7-5.
The set maintained a back-and-forth rhythm throughout, with neither player winning more than nine points or three games in a row.
While Sinner’s loss was largely attributed to illness, Djokovic believes that there was nothing inherently wrong with his game. He simply praised Fonseca as the better play on Friday.
“Incredible match to be part of. Tough one for me to lose being two sets to love up. But huge credit to Joao for really deserving to win the match,” Djokovic said via Roland Garros Press.
Novak Djokovic on his loss to Fonseca at Roland Garros, ‘It was just amazing from his side… I don’t think I’ve done too much wrong with my game. He was just better’
“Incredible match to be part of. Tough one for me to lose being two sets to love up. But huge credit for João for… pic.twitter.com/O749VkkbpS
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 29, 2026
Djokovic has praised Fonseca for years as well, with this result being a long time coming.
“[Fonseca’s] been [the] talk of the Tour in the last several months. I mean, deservedly so,” Djokovic told ATP in March 2025. “He’s a very good tennis player. I mean, so young. Just incredible firepower from both ends of the baseline, serve [as well]. He’s a very complete player.”
How old is Joao Fonseca?
Joao Fonseca is 19 years old, born on August 21, 2006.
Where is Joao Fonseca from?
Fonseca was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and grew up playing tennis at the Rio de Janeiro Country Club.
Read the full article here