ROLAND GARROS

May 27, 2026

Joao Fonseca

Press Conference

J. FONSECA/D. Prizmic

3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Well done. Dino was playing really well. How did you manage to turn it around after the first two sets?

JOAO FONSECA: Yeah, first two sets were tough. I mean, he was serving pretty well and putting a lot of pressure on my service games. I was just trying to deal and think on the third set game by game. Fortunately, I got a break, and there was a little bit of hope.

I just stayed focused. I didn't even think there was, like, two sets more. I just focused on the present, like trying to break, trying to play better, be more solid.

Yeah, I changed a little bit my game. I think going for the second serve returns inside the court to put a little bit more pressure and going more aggressive, which in the beginning I was trying to be more solid.

Yeah, I think he played really good in the first two sets. It was tough for me. I was not playing good, and he was just destroying me.

Yeah, I'm very happy the way that I stayed positive, the way that I stayed with the good mentality. Yeah, my physique went well, and I got through after two sets down.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I'm curious, two things. First is, how do you feel about playing Novak in the next round? Then, also, what do you think it is about the style of play that you and Dino and some of the other people in your age bracket that allows you to compete at this very high level at such a young age with the really top players in the world?

JOAO FONSECA: Well, I'm going to answer this question first. I think, me, Mensik, Prizmic, we have powerful shots. There's Learner, there's Jodar, there's Landaluce. They're coming a lot of next generation players that are playing really good.

Each one has their potential. For example, Jodar is super solid. Learner Tien, he just don't miss a ball, and he just keeps going. I like to be more aggressive. Prizmic has a lot of intensity. Mensik, huge serve, huge groundstrokes.

So everybody has it, but I think the most different thing from the other young people that I think is the maturity. I think they can handle if we pressure pretty well.

Dino has to understand pretty soon how to play with the important points, how to deal with pressure, and that's the main reason. Sometimes it's not only about the technique, or the powerful shots, or the consistency, but it's also about the good maturity.

About playing Novak, for me it's just a big pleasure. I always talk to my coach, like, I want to be in Novak's draw, because I know it's going to be -- it's not going to last too much. I just want to be -- I just want to have this experience in my life.

I think I'm just going to enjoy it. I mean, being in Roland Garros, third round, for me it's just a dream. I'm going to enjoy every moment playing against an idol, the GOAT of the sport. Yeah, hopefully I can do a great match.

Of course, stepping on the court, of course I'm going to respect him, but trying to make my best and win this match.

Q. Four years ago Djokovic said when he was watching Sinner, it was reminding him a little bit his game, the way he was playing when he had the age of Sinner. In your opinion, what is the difference between Sinner? You have played against him and Djokovic, if you can compare the two.

JOAO FONSECA: Well, they are two machines. I still think Novak, because of the third guy that he says and everyone says after Federer and Nadal, I think he was a little bit -- like, he needed to have a great mentality. I think that's the main difference.

I mean, both of them play unbelievable. I can't say nothing about them. It's just like winning everything. The history that Djokovic did for this sport and what Sinner is doing right now is just unbelievable, but I think it's still the mentality.

I think Jannik is going to -- well, I can't say that he's going to just be great as Novak or Nadal or Federer, but I think he's going to be one of those guys. Maybe he's going to reach it. I don't know.

But with this consistency and the way that he's playing, the way that he's dealing with pressure is really unbelievable. Yeah, I think having Novak in this sport is just a pleasure.

He inspired me. He inspired the next generation and the generation before. So, yeah, I think that's it.

Q. Joao, he's a year older than you but has less tour Experience, I guess.

JOAO FONSECA: Who?

Q. Dino is a year older. How different is it now facing these kind of younger guys where sometimes now you are the favorite? Is it a different prospect to, say facing someone like Novak, where you might have a bit less to lose?

JOAO FONSECA: Dino, I just stepped on court thinking it was going to be a tough, tough battle. I know his potential. He just won against Novak. He can be very solid. He has every groundstroke. He plays good on the surface.

Yeah, playing against those guys for me, I mean, I just try to think as any other player. Of course, sometimes it comes a little bit of pressure and thinking, but I mean, I just think I'm going play with those guys for, I don't know, 10, 15 years.

I mean, there's always a first time. So, yeah, I just need to focus on what I need to do and not what he's doing and what he's capable of and what is his age.

Yeah, I think that's what I try to do and, yeah, what I did as well.