ATP Tour

Djokovic on Fonseca: 'The level was amazing'

Novak Djokovic could only hold his hands up and say “too good” in the wake of his third-round defeat to Joao Fonseca in a near-five-hour epic on Friday evening at Roland Garros.

While the record 24-time major champion and former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings was naturally disappointed to exit the clay major in Paris before the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009, Djokovic was also acutely aware he had played a role in one of the most memorable Grand Slam battles in recent memory.

“Well, an incredible match to be part of,” Djokovic said after Fonseca’s 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 victory. “Obviously, tough one for me to lose being two sets to love up, but huge credit to Joao for really deserving to win the match.

“I think he, without a doubt, was the better player in important moments in those crucial fourth and fifth [sets]. Some amazing exchanges and points. He just found incredible shots, lines. It was just amazing from his side. Obviously not great for me to be facing a player playing in such a level, but I don't think I've done too much wrong with my game. It's just that he was just better.”

Djokovic had not lost in his 18 previous Grand Slam meetings with teenage opponents, and he was full of praise for the way 19-year-old Brazilian Fonseca rallied to a four-hour, 53-minute win. The three-time Roland Garros champion also recognised the potential of Fonseca, the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals champion, to go all the way to the top of the game.

“Well, of course, I congratulated him and told him that he deserved to win and played an unbelievable match, and he should be proud of himself,” Djokovic said, when asked what he had said to the Brazilian at the net after match point. “Wishing him good luck for the rest of the tournament.

“The kind of level of tennis we've seen him play created a lot of hype around him, and I think we all seen today why there is hype around him. So, yeah, just the level was amazing.”

The 39-year-old Djokovic, who had only previously lost one match from two sets up (vs. Melzer, Roland Garros QF 2010), spoke warmly of the support he received from the crowd inside Court Philippe-Chatrier. The Serbian arrived in Paris having played only one match since March due to injury, and he visibly struggled physically between points at times against Fonseca.

“A couple times where I felt like I was barely standing on my legs towards the end of the match and looking at the crowd and seeing them lift my spirits and support me was something really magical, honestly,” Djokovic said. “So when I take out all the disappointment and negative thoughts about the match, there's a lot to be proud about, what I've been through, what I experienced. I'm very grateful for this kind of experience.”

Djokovic struck more winners (70 to 68) and fewer unforced errors (39-47) than Fonseca in Friday’s defeat, according to Infosys Stats. Yet he acknowledged that the physical challenge as the match wore on hindered his efforts to try and reign in an increasingly confident Fonseca.

“I just ran out of gas, to be honest,” the 101-time tour-level champion said. “I didn't feel good at all on the court in the [third or fourth] sets. I think end of the fourth was my chance. I felt like my best chance [was at] 4-3, 15-40. He just played really good points. He was attacking, big serves.

“When I look back in important moments, could I have done something different? You can always say, ‘Yes’, but you just have to say, ‘Well done’, and congratulate him. Hats off. He just played lights-out tennis. Every time there was a decisive moment, he went for it.”