Roland Garros, Men's French Open 2026 - Grand Slam

[the AntiPusher]

Fonseca's run has ended at QF
Lets not forget he became the 1st teenager to ever beat Djokovic in a GS
Became the 2nd player in history to come back from 2 sets to 0 down to beat Djokovic
Became the first Brazilian man to reach a RG singles QF since Guga in 2004
Beat 2 time RG finalist Ruud
Up to No 25 in the live rankings
Just 19 yo and doing great things!

Fonzy did his job He got rid of as my buddy David calls him DFaker!!

 

[mrzz]

That struck me with the Djokovic match. I loved the drop shots, but if I had been watching them live, I would have winced every time...they need to be tightened up a it, and more varied...it felt like he was just teeing them up for Novak half the time.

True. But what strikes me is that when the opponent hits a bad dropper, or the ball just happens to land short, he always tries to wrong foot the opponent, and more often than not feeds him a perfect ball to hit.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Fonzy did his job He got rid of as my buddy David calls him DFaker!!

LOL! you and I both know what our dear mutual friend David thinks of Novax as he refers to him

 

[Murat B.]

One thing Fonseca desperately needs is to work on his shot selection once he comes forward. He loses a lot of points that he could easily win...

He'll get there. Shot selection is usually the last thing youngsters master...and some even don't, ever. Fonseca is too good though, give him a couple of years.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Some of Fonseca's shot selections in the match were unusual for him, I am not making excuses for him, mentally tiredness can be a factor, he looked tired to me in this match, then again when the going gets tough he goes up a level and becomes fearless and produces shots that are just Sic, finding a balance in matches is important, he is too good of a player, he is young and has plenty of time to improve that area of his game

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

El Dude,
If you are around or have some time up your sleeve, Gil Gross has posted on youtube his post match podcast Mensik v Fonseca QF match
Great analysis as usual from Gill

 

[the AntiPusher]

Some of Fonseca's shot selections in the match were unusual for him, I am not making excuses for him, mentally tiredness can be a factor, he looked tired to me in this match, then again when the going gets tough he goes up a level and becomes fearless and produces shots that are just Sic, finding a balance in matches is important, he is too good of a player, he is young and has plenty of time to improve that area of his game

Good points.. One philosophy about serving to the corners is if you don't follow it to the net, You are providing your opponent the advantage to use it against you.. I would suggest that Joao learns how to body serve his opponents especially since he the anti Andy Roddick meaning his racket control is masterful and he can create many difficult angles.. Roddick couldn't do that.. he was too predictable with his groundstrokes for someone like Roger Federer. One day, Roger is going to admit that he NEVER had to practice before he played a big match against Andy.. @don_fabio knows what I am talking about when you have someone's number there is very little pressure and all you have to do is wait for the brainless Bull to make his move.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Good points.. One philosophy about serving to the corners is if you don't follow it to the net, You are providing your opponent the advantage to use it against you.. I would suggest that Joao learns how to body serve his opponents especially since he the anti Andy Roddick meaning his racket control is masterful and he can create many difficult angles.. Roddick couldn't do that.. he was too predictable with his groundstrokes for someone like Roger Federer. One day, Roger is going to admit that he NEVER had to practice before he played a big match against Andy.. @don_fabio knows what I am talking about when you have someone's number there is very little pressure and all you have to do is wait for the brainless Bull to make his move.

Yes I take your point about serving to corners and dont follow through
I was impressed with Mensiks serving in the match his wide serving to the corners, also in the deuce court, Fonseca was unable to return
Mensik won a remarkable 83% of the points behind his first serve.

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

Mensik d. Fonseca 6/4 6/3 7/6

Match Highlights



Mensik Press Conference


Leo AI Transcript Summary

• He stayed mentally focused and calm even after missing several match points, crediting his ability to reset and elevate his performance in the final moments.
• His clay-court season was rough disrupted by a toe infection and a virus that kept him from training and playing properly for weeks.
• He finally arrived at Roland Garros healthy and prepared, which allowed him to play with confidence and improve as the tournament progressed.
• The mental strength he developed during this run, especially under pressure, was key to his success.
• He mentioned a special relationship with Novak Djokovic, including a formative training session in Montenegro when he was still a junior, which helped him understand how to handle Grand Slam pressure.
• During the match, he experienced physical discomfort in his left leg late in the second set, which briefly affected his focus—but it turned out to be just a tight muscle, not serious.
• Once the pain subsided in the third set, he was able to regain control, stay locked in, and secure the win.

Fonseca Press Conference



Leo AI Transcript Summary

• Positive Outlook Despite Loss: Fonseca reflects on his first Grand Slam quarterfinal in Paris as a "positive week" despite a tough loss in the match day. He notes he came from a minor injury with no high expectations but managed a great run.
• The Deciding Moment: He describes the 12th game of the third set as "deserved to be on a movie," highlighting that he saved six match points but ultimately couldn't convert the momentum into a set win. He focused entirely on that single game rather than the overall match outcome.
• Praise for Opponent: He credits his opponent, Jakub Mensik for an amazing performance, specifically praising his serve, return game, and ability to handle pressure. He notes Mensik controlled the match and has "really good potential," having already won a Masters title.
• Self-Discovery and Limits: The player feels he has gained a better understanding of his physical limits and confidence in his body. He is more comfortable with his game and mentality, having successfully fought back from two sets down in multiple matches at this tournament.
• Looking Ahead: He expresses excitement for the upcoming grass season, stating he enjoys the surface. His immediate plan is to reset, return home to spend time with family for about a week, and then prepare for the next swing of tournaments.
• Comparison to Previous Matches: When asked if the level of play against Mensik was comparable to his recent matches against Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud, he acknowledges the high level but notes the conditions were different (closed roof, slower surface, bigger balls). He believes he might have played slightly better in this match but attributes the result to Mensik's merit.

 

[Fiero425]

That struck me with the Djokovic match. I loved the drop shots, but if I had been watching them live, I would have winced every time...they need to be tightened up a it, and more varied...it felt like he was just teeing them up for Novak half the time.

I didn't watch it, but wasn't surprised or distracted by this kid taking Novak down! The GOAT did himself proud even w/o a lot of practice! IMO, he's playing as well as he always has, & elevated his game to keep up w/ the new speed of the game! Way back when, he still needed Roger, Rafa, NG1, & NG2 to make an error, allow him to escape a break pt., or have a brain fart of some sort to win those tough matches! How many times has he come back from the ? Today's players aren't giving him those breaks so I think we can look forward to Wimbledon where the conditions will be easier on his old body! This might be his last chance to get #25!

 

[britbox]

Zverev d. Jodar 7/6 6/1 6/3

Match Highlights



Zverev Press Conference



Leo Ai Summary

• Turning the Match Around: Sascha admitted his opponent - Jodar started stronger and found her rhythm faster. Once he settled in, he felt comfortable on the court and believed the conditions suited his game, allowing him to recover from a deficit.
• Age Gap and Young Talent: When asked about facing younger opponents like 19-year-old Rafael or João Fonseca, Sascha emphasized that the rise of young players shows the high quality of the current tour. He stated he doesn't let age gaps affect his confidence or pressure, focusing solely on what he can control.
• Draw Surprises: Sascha wasn't surprised by Matteo Berrettini's return to form because of his close knowledge of Matteo Berrettini's potential. He identified Matteo Arnaldi as the biggest surprise given his ranking and past performance, though he acknowledged all three Italian players in the quarterfinals are fantastic.
• Olympic Gold vs. Grand Slam: When asked if he would trade his Olympic gold medal for a Grand Slam title, Sascha said "no chance." He values the gold medal highly because it is won only once every four years and is played for one's country, making it unique and irreplaceable.
• Shot Selection and Experience: Sascha explained that shot selection improves with physical growth and experience. As players become stronger, they gain "weapons" like faster forehands and serves. However, learning when not to use them and incorporating variety (like drop shots) takes years on tour. He cited Roger Federer as the master of confusing opponents with variety.
• Strategy for Next Match: His approach for the upcoming semi-final is simple: trust his game, trust himself, and focus on playing well, which he believes accounts for 99% of the work required to win.

Jodar Press Conference



Leo Ai Summary
Here is the summary of the press conference:

• Tournament Reflection: Jodar views his run to the quarterfinals at his first Roland Garros as a massive learning experience. He feels the matches have provided valuable insights for his training and future improvement.
• The Match Against Zverev:
  • He acknowledged that after leading 5-3 in the first set, he lost his serve and subsequently 10 points in a row, which shifted the momentum entirely to Zverev.
  • He admitted Zverev played better in those crucial moments and deserved the win, noting that Zverev's experience in high-pressure stages was a key factor.
• Key Lessons Learned:
  • Consistency: To compete with the world's best, he realized he must maintain the same level throughout the entire match, especially in five-setters, avoiding significant dips in performance.
  • Self-Belief: While he knows he can compete with anyone, he recognizes he still has a lot of work to do to reach that elite consistency.
• Immediate Plans:
  • He plans to take a few days off to recover physically before starting training for the upcoming grass season, noting he hasn't played much on grass yet.
• Tournament Favorite: When asked if Zverev is the favorite to win the trophy, Jodar remained humble, stating that all four semi-finalists have an equal chance and the best player on the weekend will take the title.
• Personal Support: He highlighted the positive experience of having his father by his side throughout the second week of the tournament.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I am a very proud Italian,
For the first time in Grand Slam history 3 Italian men have reached the QFs together! ( if you told me at the start of RG, I would not believe that Berrettini, Cobolli, Arnaldi would reach the QFs) well done, especially for Berrettini who has suffered injures in his career, that has seen his ranking slip into the Top 100's, Arnaldi I had given up on, showed such promise early in his career and his play and ranking fell by the wayside, I have always held a high opinion of Cobolli, he and Berrettini won the DC for Italy last year, when Jannik and Musetti didnt play, Cobolli has a complete game.

 

[Kieran]

I am a very proud Italian,
For the first time in Grand Slam history 3 Italian men have reached the QFs together! ( if you told me at the start of RG, I would not believe that Berrettini, Cobolli, Arnaldi would reach the QFs) well done, especially for Berrettini who has suffered injures in his career, that has seen his ranking slip into the Top 100's, Arnaldi I had given up on, showed such promise early in his career and his play and ranking fell by the wayside, I have always held a high opinion of Cobolli, he and Berrettini won the DC for Italy last year, when Jannik and Musetti didnt play, Cobolli has a complete game.

Where were you born in Italy, Margaret? It’s my favourite country outside Ireland!

Pity for the Fonz but a great result for Mensik. Young guys hitting big and aiming high!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Where were you born in Italy, Margaret? It’s my favourite country outside Ireland!

Pity for the Fonz but a great result for Mensik. Young guys hitting big and aiming high!

I was born in Palermo, capitol of Sicily, also lived in Florence and Venice where I have cousins, my family traveled back to France for awhile in Lyon,where my mothers family are before coming to Australia
Mensik was very impressive he collapsed earlier on court in the heat in tough 5 set match earlier, he had to have paramedics help him, and brought a wheel chair out for him, he got up by himself, I thought he would lose his next match, regardless of having a day off, he really has stepped up his level and that was evident in his match against Fonseca

 

[Kieran]

I was born in Palermo, capitol of Sicily, also lived in Florence and Venice where I have cousins, my family traveled back to France for awhile in Lyon,where my mothers family are before coming to Australia
Mensik was very impressive he collapsed earlier on court in the heat in tough 5 set match earlier, he had to have paramedics help him, and brought a wheel chair out for him, he got up by himself, I thought he would lose his next match, regardless of having a day off, he really has stepped up his level and that was evident in his match against Fonseca

We go to Sicily every year for holidays, Marina Di Ragusa. It’s a magical, beautiful island..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

We go to Sicily every year for holidays, Marina Di Ragusa. It’s a magical, beautiful island..

It is a beautiful island, there are soo many great islands in Sicily to visit

 

[Kieran]

It is a beautiful island, there are soo many great islands in Sicily to visit

Yeah, I plan to visit more of them. I’m very much into Italy and it’s great culture and places..

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Yeah, I plan to visit more of them. I’m very much into Italy and it’s great culture and places..

I'm going to visit Italy for my youngest sister's wedding in late September/early October. I'll be going to the Milan/Lake Como area. I'll try to go by Turin, and if I have time, maybe Venice.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kieran

If you are still around

The Aeolian islands in Sicily most well known archipelgo and definately some of the best islands in the region

I better stop I am sounding like a travel agent from Italy
A great car trip that Peter and I did was the Great Lakes of Italy and drove all the way to Swiss
Back to the ladies tennis