Novak Djokovic Says ‘Hopefully (Fonseca) Can Be The Next Great Thing and Win Slams’

BusinessSportsMoneyNovak Djokovic Says ‘Hopefully (Fonseca) Can Be The Next Great Thing and Win Slams’ByAdam Zagoria,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I'm a basketball and tennis insiderFollow AuthorMay 29, 2026, 05:50pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Joao Fonseca (R) of Brazil greets Novak Djokovic of Serbia after their Men's Singles Third Round match during Day six of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)Getty ImagesJannik Sinner won’t be completing the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros.And Novak Djokovic won’t be winning his record 25th major title in Paris, either.Instead, with both men now out of the draw on successive days in five-set upsets, some man will win his first major title on June 7 in Court Philippe-Chatrier.Sinner, Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have won the last 15 straight Slams, and Sinner and Alcaraz the last nine.But with all three men now absent (Alcaraz is out with a wrist injury), Alexander Zverev remains the overwhelming favorite at 41%, according to the Kalshi prediction market, Casper Ruud, a two-time French Open finalist who came from two sets down to beat American Tommy Paul on Friday, is second at 14% and 19-year Spaniard Rafael Jódar is third at 12%,Zverev is 0-3 in major finals, including losing the 2024 final to Carlos Alcaraz after leading two sets to one, and is seeking his first major title.MORE FOR YOUDjokovic, meantime, is touting the 20-year-old Fonseca as a future major winner.“He definitely has the potential,” Djokovic said after losing in five sets, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5. “The talent he’s got… The firepower… The whole Brazilian nation cheering him on. Hopefully he can be the next great thing and win Slams.”As for losing for just the second time in a major after being up two sets, Djokovic...