“It happened. ” Thus, in one word, narrator Renan do Couto, from ESPN, recorded the epic victory of João Fonseca, 19, over Novak Djokovic, 39, at Roland Garros, one of tennis’ four Grand Slams, in an exciting, five-set match that began in the afternoon and ended in the Parisian night.
Epic because it was a comeback, after a 2-0 set deficit, in an exhausting game that lasted almost five hours. Epic because the opponent is considered one of the best, if not the best, tennis player in history.
Serbian Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles (3 at Roland Garros, 10 at the Australian Open, 7 at Wimbledon, 4 at the US Open). No one has won so many top-tier tournaments, not the Spaniard Rafael Nadal (22), nor the Swiss Roger Federer (20).
I wrote this Sheetthis Friday (29), a text about the 1970 World Cup in which there was a mention of the fearless João Saldanha, a coach who fought against the dictatorship and qualified Brazil for the World Cup in Mexico.
This same Friday, I say that Fonseca is the new João Sem Medo in our country. At no point in the duel, in front of Djoko who has won titles – more than a hundred in his career, the first when the Rio de Janeiro native wasn’t even born – did he tremble or lose heart, even in a situation of unthinkable reaction.
Head always held high, he played point after point, game after game, trusting in his youth. A prolonged match wasn’t a bad deal. With each additional game, each additional set, the physical wear and tear on the veteran Novak, 20 years older, was clear.
There was no way. On the same clay of the Philippe Chatrier court where he won four titles (the three titles plus Olympic gold in 2024), the 1.88 m giant fell. (I read that Fonseca has the same height and similar weight, 82 kg x 81 kg; curiously, on TV, the Serbian appears taller and thinner than the Brazilian.)
It reminded me a lot of Gustavo Kuerten’s time, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, our three-time Roland Garros champion. Brazil woke up early, or slept late, to see the Santa Catarina team beat the big names of the time – North Americans Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras were victims.
I’m not a tennis expert, however, going by memory, Guga’s forehand had a hint of deficiency. Fonseca, right-handed like his compatriot, is not. What power, what precision. Perhaps Guga’s “backhand” (left blow), astonishing in parallel, was superior, but little else – Fonseca’s is admirable. And what about João Coragem’s “leaves”? Mortal, exactly like those of Manezinho da Ilha.
One cannot ignore Fonseca’s serve, a blow that exceeds 200 km/h. In the final set, Djoko won the game 40/30. One more point would close and tie at 6/6, extending the duel. João’s strong arm and accurate aim didn’t let him down. Three “aces” (serves without defense) in a row, something as difficult as it is unlikely in a confrontation at this level. “Game, set, match.” Round of 16 coming soon.
“I have goosebumps,” said Fonseca after the match. Many Brazilians must have felt the same way, as it was truly a chilling victory. But no tears or effusive smiles, as one might expect from a Brazilian. When we won, we cried laughing, repeatedly.
Not with João. Serenity. Haughtiness. Contained joy, letting it erupt in the seats of the center court of Roland Garros, where Brazilians, whether in green and yellow or not, cheered, as did João’s family. His mother, Roberta, had her birthday on the 29th. What a gift!
It will be? Will Fonseca, becoming more intrepid every day, win the French Grand Slam at 19, even before Kuerten, who was 20 in 1997, beating Spaniard Sergi Bruguera in the final?
After eliminating Djokovic, our hopes can be heightened. It may not happen, tennis has tremendous players. But, after this Friday, with a nearly forty-year-old eliminated, having more experience, then the competitors’ trump card, will no longer mean anything.
Play, João. With your face, your ability and your courage. You made it happen. Do it four more times.
