After Djokovic’s historic loss, Roland-Garros will win for the first time in years
Novak Djokovic looked to have a manageable chance of winning a record-breaking 25th major title after the historic fall of No. 1 Jannik Sinner at Roland-Garros, also known as the French Open, but 19-year-old Brazilian João Fonseca had other plans.
Winner Joao Fonseca of Brazil greets Novak Djokovic of Serbia after their men’s singles match on day 6 of the French Open at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on May 29, 2026. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP)
It was a stunning five-set victory for Djokovic, which will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the changing of the guard in modern tennis. The 19-year-old Brazilian came from two sets to defeat the 24-year-old Grand Slam champion 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5. The loss was particularly shocking because Djokovic had rarely dropped two sets in a Grand Slam match, making Fonseca’s win one of the biggest upsets of the season, and Djokovic’s first Roland-Garros exit since 2009. More historically, this was the first time he had lost a young person in his career. He went 18-0 against the youth in Friday’s game.
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The significance of the result goes beyond one game, however. At the age of 39, Djokovic entered Roland-Garros chasing history, hoping to surpass Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 singles titles. Instead, he was replaced by a player young enough to be his son, a symbolic reminder that the sport’s next generation is no longer waiting for permission to take over.
Perhaps the most notable result of all this is that, with Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner out and Carlos Alcaraz injured, the French Open is guaranteed to crown the first Grand Slam on the men’s side.
For almost two decades, men’s tennis titles were dominated by the Big Three – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – before a new generation led by Alcaraz and Sinner began to collect major titles. Now, for the first time in more than two years, a player who has never won a Grand Slam will leave Paris as a major champion, potentially signaling the start of a new era in men’s tennis.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a volley at the net against Joao Fonseca of Brazil during their third round junior match on Day Six of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 29, 2026. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The last time a new champion was crowned was the 2024 Australian Open when Jannik Sinner won his first Grand Slam title, and look where he is now. This article may be prophetic, as it was for Soni those few years ago.
This is another reminder that Father Time comes to us all. While I still believe Djokovic has enough left in the tank to win another Grand Slam and extend his record, the young guns should make for compelling viewing from the fourth round onwards.
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João Fonseca of Brazil celebrates winning a match point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles match on Day Six of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 29, 2026. (Photos by Antonio Borg/Eurasia Sport/Getty Images)
The consensus favorite is now Alexander Zverev, who was already considered the top clay-court contender left in the field before the tournament began. Many sports books and analysts installed him as the favorite immediately after the upset loss to Sinner, and Djokovic’s elimination only strengthened that position. Still, don’t count out Fonseca. His confidence should be boosted after the historic victory over the greatest player of all time.
