Fonseca surrenders to Mensik's level: "He plays well and knows how to handle the key moments"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 3 Jun 2026 | 01.27

Fonseca surrenders to Mensik's level: "Plays well and knows how to handle key moments". Photo: Getty Images

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A very tough ending for Joao Fonseca, who has been one of the best players in this Roland Garros 2026 and who has caused the most surprises. Dreams were had that he could fight for his first Grand Slam in Paris, but today he ran into a wall named Jakub Mensik, who was a true steamroller (6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3)) and frustrated any attempt by Joao, who was also not helped by the cold conditions and indoor setting of the Parisian night.

Nevertheless, the Brazilian, in his press conference after the defeat, remained positive, especially when reflecting on all of Roland Garros. He also praised the excellent level shown by Mensik in the match.

Joao Fonseca takes the positives from Roland Garros 2026, despite his defeat to Jakub Mensik in the quarterfinals

"It was a tough match, but really a very positive week. I played good tennis this week, coming back from a minor injury and without expectations for this tournament, and still had a great run. Today was tough, but it has definitely been a positive week, and now I think about the upcoming tournaments. This tournament gives me more conviction and confidence to continue, and also helps me understand a bit better my body and my limits."

He saved six match points in the third set

"At that moment, I was only thinking about winning that game, not the rest of the match. I tried to give my best and fight. I did everything I had inside me on the court, but today was Jakub's day, he played very well, and I wish him luck. I don't think I played poorly; in that twelfth game, I just tried to hold onto what I had and give it my all in that game, maybe put a little pressure in the tie-break. Maybe I could have won the set, perhaps, I don't know. I just tried to give my best and try to win the set."

Impressed by Menisk's level

"His serve is incredible, and he handles crucial points very well. He controlled most of the match, serving very well and playing quite effective returns. His return, both on the first and second serves, is deep and puts a lot of pressure on the opponent. Today, he missed very few returns, which put me in a tough position. I tried to give everything on my returns, but he played very well with his serve and volley."

"He has a great potential. He already won a Masters 1000 and is in his first Grand Slam semifinal. He plays well and, most importantly, knows how to handle key moments. He is fearless, brave, and I wish him the best because he is a humble and nice person."

Looking ahead to the grass court season

"I like playing on grass, it's fun for me, but I take it step by step. I always enjoy playing on grass, even if it's a short period. Now I will rest a bit at home, maximum for a week, enjoy with the family, and then prepare for the next part of the season."

Until the next one 💫🇧🇷#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/FMK63q4qlH
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2026

A very different match compared to Djokovic and Ruud

"This year, I had already played two big matches in Roland Garros against Djokovic and Ruud. Today, the level also seemed very high to me in terms of experience and game feeling. It was a different type of match, with different conditions: today the roof was closed, the court was slower, and the ball bigger."

"The most different thing today was Mensik's playing style. He stayed a lot at the back of the court, always opening angles. He applied a lot of pressure, liked to take risks, and moved quite well at the net. The level was very high, and although I can't exactly compare it to other matches, I would say it was at the level of the previous ones. Maybe he played a bit better, but today wasn't because I played poorly, it was all his merit."

Becoming more familiar with his body

"I am still the same player, just knowing my limits better. I didn't know if I could endure a five-hour or four-hour match, and now I know I can rely on my physical condition and am more confident in my game. My mentality is on the right track. After two matches coming back from two sets down, finding new ways to play and adapting, I think maybe I am the same Joao, but discovering new things."

A Roland Garros that has provided him maturity and experience

"Having this experience of advancing so far in a big tournament is important to me. Learning to handle pressure, to reset after a good game, does not mean I will play the same in the next match. Having a day off is also different: you rest, but end up training to recover. This gives me experience and confidence, both physically and mentally. Grass is very different from clay, it's a much faster and different game, but this experience in Roland Garros gives me more confidence and experience for the rest of the season," concludes Joao Fonseca, who after the joys of Roland Garros, is already thinking about Wimbledon grass courts.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fonseca se rinde al nivel de Mensik: "Juega bien y sabe cómo manejar los momentos clave"

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