Gustavo Kuerten Watches Joao Fonseca Stun Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros from Airport

Joao Fonseca became the reason behind another upset at the French Open. In the second round, the Brazilian ace clawed back into the game after overcoming a two-set deficit to eliminate three-time former champion Novak Djokovic.

This win made the 19-year-old the first teenager to defeat the 39-year-old in a Grand Slam tournament. Fonseca beat Djokovic on May 29th. Back in 2004, Brazilian tennis legend Gustavo Kuerten defeated Roger Federer in the clay-court Major on May 29th. Kuerten was at an airport watching his compatriot battle against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Guga watched João Fonseca’s match against Novak Djokovic from the airport.

He wouldn’t miss it.

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(via pneumotiago on IG, h/t @fonsequism & @xanda_rr) pic.twitter.com/NdQMxqcae0

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 29, 2026

Djokovic, who lost in the third round of the French Open for the first time since 2009, will be chasing his 25th Major at Wimbledon, where last year, eventual champion Jannik Sinner knocked him out in the semifinals. The French Open is now without Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Sinner.

The two-time defending champion in Paris skipped the tournament because of a wrist injury. Sinner, who entered the French capital after clinching the first five Masters 1000s of the season and becoming the second man after Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters after his Rome win, lost in the second round.

Needing just a game win to end the match in his favor in the third set, the South Tyrol native started cramping and never recovered. And this is why, for the first time since Rafael Nadal‘s 14th French Open victory back in 2022, a Grand Slam tournament will see a player whose name is not Djokovic, Sinner, or Alcaraz, emerge victorious.

Fonseca will be playing in the fourth round of a Major for the first time. And up against him next is three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, who lost to Nadal in the 2022 French Open final and to Djokovic in the final the following season.

Novak Djokovic admits he ran out of gas while clashing with Joao Fonseca

What Novak Djokovic is producing at this stage of his career is nothing but impressive. But that doesn’t mean he is not struggling physically. At 39, it’s his body that’s stopping him from giving his all in longer matches.

It would have been fine if it were best of three sets. But it wasn’t. I simply ran out of gas, honestly. I didn’t feel physically well at all in the following sets. I think the end of the fourth set was my big chance. At 4-3 and 15-40. But he played incredible points: attacking, serving very strong. When you look back, you can always think if you could have done something different, but in the end, all you can do is congratulate him and tip your hat.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference

In this year’s Australian Open, he clinched a five-set win over Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, but couldn’t end the final versus Carlos Alcaraz in his favor. Djokovic last won a Major at the 2023 US Open.

Perhaps my only mistake was at 3-1 in the fifth set and serving when I lost my service game. But again, he played very aggressive points. Any ball that came to his forehand, especially those in the middle, he destroyed. It was very hard to read him, and he played with extreme speed. Then he came back into the match with three aces, the strongest of the whole match: 220, 225. All you can say is: well done. That’s it.

Novak Djokovic added

Only two players have now defeated Djokovic in a Major when he is leading two sets to love. Before Fonseca, Jurgen Melzer beat him at the 2010 Roland Garros. Djokovic last won a title at the 2025 Hellenic Championships. He has not reached the final at the French Open since the 2023 season.

Also read: Marta Kostyuk Voices Safety Concerns After Zeynep Sonmez’s Injury at Roland Garros