Novak Djokovic is preparing to face Joao Fonseca at Roland-Garros. The match pits the 39-year-old Djokovic against the 19-year-old Fonseca. This is a match Fonseca has dreamt of, but Djokovic knows to be wary of the challenge.
Youth Versus Experience
Fonseca, the world No.30, is through to the third round for the second year running. Djokovic has lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires three times and has 21 other Grand Slam trophies. Djokovic has taken eight sets and a little over six and a half hours to get this far.
Fonseca has also needed eight sets but has got through them in five hours and 41 minutes. Fonseca’s legs are 20 years younger than Djokovic’s and have carried him through 1,325 fewer matches than his opponent. These are not good numbers for experience in the battle of youth against experience.
Djokovic’s Perspective
Djokovic has been beating the younger men for years. He knows what the young up-and-comers have to offer. Fonseca will be a challenge, but Djokovic has seen it all before.
“Fonseca has been praised so much in the last couple of years,” the former champion said. “I think his potential and quality as a tennis player is obvious, no doubt about it. He’s got big Brazilian support anywhere he goes. I think he’s a big-stage player. He really loves the occasion.
“He played a great match with Sinner I think earlier this year at Indian Wells. He won against Rublev I think in Australia, straight sets [last year]. So he can definitely step up in the big occasion and deliver big shots, big game.”
Fonseca Awaits His Idol
This is their first meeting and it is one that Fonseca has been looking forward to since he started on the main tour.
“Playing Novak, for me it’s just a big pleasure,” he said. “I always say to my coach: I want to be in Novak’s draw, because I know [his career] is not going to last too much [longer]. 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. 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.”
The Deciding Factors
The questions are: will Fonseca have the nerve and the nous to beat Djokovic and will Djokovic have the reserves of strength and stamina to deal with, potentially, a five-set slugfest? All will be revealed on Friday afternoon.
In other news from Roland-Garros, Iga Swiatek will face Magda Linette. Never before in the Open era have two Poles, male or female, played each other at Roland-Garros. Swiatek and Linette have played each other twice before with honours even.