Novak Djokovic was surprised at Roland Garros by João Fonseca, a 19-year-old young talent who staged a historic comeback and eliminated the Serbian, leaving the tennis world in shock. Despite the defeat, former world number one Andy Roddick came to the defense of the 39-year-old player, labeling as “lazy” the narratives that portray him as a declining athlete. The truth is that Djokovic, even with a reduced schedule and just months away from turning 40, displayed impressive quality of play on the court, leaving the door open for a triumphant return at Wimbledon.
Djokovic, who has only played 12 matches in 2026, has been a half-hearted athlete on the ATP circuit, with a standout performance in the Australian Open final in January, but little else. Not having competed on clay before Paris, the Serbian seemed somewhat rusty, but quickly regained his rhythm with convincing victories in the early rounds. However, in the third round, João Fonseca had a moment of affirmation, coming back from two sets down to defeat the greatest Grand Slam winner in history, with 24 titles.
Fonseca’s achievement is even more remarkable as he is the first teenager to defeat Djokovic in a Major and only the second to come back from a two-set deficit, after Jürgen Melzer in 2010. Despite the outcome, Djokovic’s numbers in the match were impressive: 71% first serve efficiency, 70 winners, and only 39 unforced errors, compared to 68 winners and 47 errors from the young Brazilian.
Andy Roddick did not hold back in his praise for the Serbian player, stating on the podcast “Served” that “it was the best tennis I’ve seen Djokovic play, with a high-level performance.” The former champion of the United States emphasized that “Djokovic did not make errors that cost him the match; it was Fonseca who beat him at the right moment.” For Roddick, it is unfair to reduce the defeat to the idea of an “old player fading away” on the circuit, stressing that time is relentless, but this match did not reflect an obvious decline in the Serbian’s performance.
With the absence of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who is injured, and the early elimination of Jannik Sinner, Djokovic had a golden opportunity to secure his 25th Major. Despite the disappointment in Paris, Roddick believes the Serbian is far from being out of the fight, especially at Wimbledon, where he has already won the title seven times. “His body hasn’t been used to this rhythm since January, and being able to play at this level at nearly 40 years old is remarkable. I believe Djokovic feels more confident for Wimbledon after this tournament than before,” added the former world number one.
With the grass courts of SW19 promising a more favorable setting for Djokovic than the demanding clay of Paris, the Serbian remains a real threat in the next edition of the English tournament. Although Sinner is considered the favorite, Roddick reminds us that Djokovic’s name is “definitely on the list of contenders.” A return to glory may be closer than many think, and the defeat at Roland Garros is just a chapter in a career that continues to defy time and expectations.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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