Fonseca stuns Djokovic in five sets after cameraman confrontation at Roland-Garros

Joao Fonseca produced one of the most startling results of the 2026 French Open on May 29, rallying from two sets down to eliminate Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the third round at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris. The 19-year-old Brazilian, ranked 28th in the world, handed the three-time Roland-Garros champion and world No. 3 a defeat that was not in the script when Djokovic led two sets to love.

Before Fonseca's comeback took shape, a separate incident drew attention during the changeover after the second set. A cameraman moved in at close range to Djokovic as the Serbian sat courtside, prompting a sharp verbal response. "Can you come more in my face?" Djokovic said, his sarcasm audible. "For God's sake, make some space." He reinforced the words with a raised-hands gesture. A TNT Sports broadcast team observed an assistant referee approach the cameraman shortly afterward, and commentator Nick Mullins confirmed on air that the cameraman was replaced. The episode drew comparisons to a separate, unrelated incident earlier in the tournament in which American player Danielle Collins accused a cameraman of similarly intrusive behaviour.

Djokovic, 39, entered the match as the clear favourite against an opponent he had never previously faced. The first two sets appeared to validate that expectation. Fonseca, however, reversed the match entirely across the final three sets, winning each in succession to complete the upset - only the second time in the 2026 tournament that Djokovic had dropped a set, let alone a match. The result ends Djokovic's pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam singles title at Roland-Garros this year.

Fonseca advances to the fourth round, where he will face Norwegian 15th seed Casper Ruud, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.