Djokovic, after his elimination from Roland Garros: "Fonseca played better than me at the most important moments"

Streaming Challenger Vicenza live tennis

🎾 Stefano Travaglia vs Jacopo Vasami

1. Sign up with Bet365 here
2. Make your first deposit of at least €5
3. Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

 PUBLICIDAD

Register at bet365, deposit €5 or more into your account and you will receive 100% of your eligible deposit in Bet Credits (up to €100). New customers only. Terms apply. Winnings do not include the value of Bet Credits. Maximum prizes, game restrictions, time limits and terms apply. Registration required.

Novak Djokovic leaves Roland Garros 2026, but with his head held high. The Serbian could not handle a stellar Joao Fonseca, who staged an epic comeback after being two sets down and dashed Djokovic's dream of lifting his 25th Grand Slam in Paris. 

However, Djokovic remained positive and did not take any credit away from Fonseca, whom he predicts a promising future for. He also expressed his satisfaction with his performance during this short clay court tour after being absent for three months. This was confirmed during his press conference, where Punto de Break was present.

Novak Djokovic congratulated Joao Fonseca on his victory at Roland Garros 2026

"Well, it's been an incredible match to be part of. Obviously, it's tough to lose, but Joao deserves a lot of credit because he deserved to win the match. I think, without a doubt, he played better than me in the most critical moments. In those crucial moments of the fourth and fifth set, he found incredible exchanges and points. He found lines, spectacular shots, it was impressive."

"From his side, it was amazing. Obviously, it's not pleasant to face a player who is playing at that level, but I don't think I did too many things wrong either. He was just better."

Happy with his level at this Roland Garros

"The amount of hours I played in three matches here felt like I had played all the tournaments of the last three months. I think I was playing very good tennis, at a high level. Considering that I was injured for three months and trying to come back, and then practically going straight to a Grand Slam on this surface, which is very demanding and where I need more time to find sensations, I think the level was really good. I was happy with my level. Of course, right now I'm disappointed because I just came off the court and was close to winning, but that's all I can say."

Nice words to Fonseca at the net

"I congratulated him and told him he deserved to win, that he played an incredible match and should be proud. I wished him luck for the rest of the tournament. The level of tennis he showed has generated a lot of excitement around him, and I think today we all saw why there's hype. The level was incredible."

About his legacy

"It's difficult to reflect on that right now, but there were several moments when I felt like I could barely stand at the end of the match. I looked at the crowd and seeing them cheering me up and supporting me was truly magical. When I put aside the disappointment and negative thoughts about the match, there is much for me to be proud of: what I have lived and experienced. I'm very grateful for this experience."

Fonseca, a new star?

"Hopefully. He definitely has the potential to achieve it. Many things have to fall into place, of course, but from what I've seen in recent years, he is very professional, and that is a prerequisite for success. He has talent, power, and has all of Brazil supporting him. There is a lot of excitement surrounding him, and rightly so. Hopefully, he can be the next big figure and win Grand Slams. Hopefully, we will see that."

Physicality let him down after the second set.

"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. He played spectacular tennis every time there was a crucial moment."

Reveals his only regret

"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," concludes Novak Djokovic, who didn't blame himself for anything and is now looking ahead to Wimbledon with hopes of achieving his coveted 25th Grand Slam.
 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic, tras su eliminación de Roland Garros: "Fonseca jugó mejor que yo en los momentos más importantes"