Novak Djokovic’s highly anticipated French Open match against João Fonseca has lived up to the hype. The players engaged in an entertaining first career battle on Friday, May 29, with the teenager dragging the match beyond three sets after a two-set deficit.
Djokovic, who was trying to close out the contest in straight sets, momentarily lost his cool during the match and snapped at a cameraman for invading his personal space.
Novak Djokovic Handed a Tough Test at the French Open
Djokovic hasn’t had it easy at the French Open. The Serb has been challenged by his opponents from the first round. Local hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard pushed Djokovic to four sets in his opener, with Djokovic staging a 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 comeback. In the second round, another Frenchman, Valentin Royer, saved a match point to push him to four sets. The Serb closed out the match with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(9), 6-3 score.
On Friday, Djokovic took on Fonseca, 20 years his junior, in the scorching heat of Paris. Both players went neck and neck, but the three-time champion edged out the teenager in the first two sets to take a 6-4, 6-4 lead. During the break between the second and the third set, Djokovic took offense to a courtside cameraman filming him in close proximity.
“Please, can you come more in my face?,” he said, sarcastically.
“For God’s sake! Makes some space,” he continued.
“Can you come more in my face?!” 😅 pic.twitter.com/z3t84OZ4zp
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 29, 2026
The cameraman promptly backed away to give the player space to reset. Djokovic ultimately fell short in the third set with a 3-6 score.
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