PARIS — Joao Fonseca defeated Novak Djokovic in the third round of the 2026 French Open in Paris, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in a five-set comeback. The 19-year-old became the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a Grand Slam tournament.

Djokovic, 39, had never lost to a teenager in his career before the match. He was eliminated in his earliest round at Roland-Garros since 2009. Before this loss, Djokovic held a 301-1 career record when leading two sets to none.

Fonseca, the 28th seed, fought back from two sets down to secure the victory. "I actually didn't believe I could win the match. I just played and enjoyed being in the court," Fonseca said. He added, "I was just trying to hit the ball as fast as I could. Djokovic doesn't miss and we still think he's 20. At the end of the match, he was more fit than me. When the day was getting darker, I felt much slower."

Djokovic acknowledged Fonseca’s potential after the match. "There's a lot of excitement around him and rightfully so. Hopefully he can be the next great thing and win slams," he said.

Fonseca’s win contributes to a historic shift in the men’s draw. With Djokovic and world number one Jannik Sinner— who lost in the second round to Juan Manuel Cerundolo—both out, and Carlos Alcaraz absent due to a wrist injury, the 2026 French Open will crown a first-time Grand Slam men’s singles champion. For the first time in the Open era, the last-16 will feature no former Grand Slam champions.

Fonseca, who won his first ATP title on clay in Buenos Aires in February 2025 and claimed the 2024 ATP Next Gen Finals, will face Casper Ruud in the fourth round.