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

[MargaretMcAleer]

Look at the scores.. It appears that they are the same player at this point. Tommy had a great opportunity to win. Same height and build.

View attachment 10789

Yes Tommy did have a chance to win, I just think overall Ruud is a more experienced clay player that is all when play is tight.
BTW I have been talking to our mutual friend David, he is soo happy that Fonseca won

 

[don_fabio]

The Novak press conference is worth watching. You can see his exhaustion, both from the match but just a sense of approaching the end. Again, very gracious: He said he played well but Joao just played better.

Novak has nothing to regret today. He had chances in the 4th and 5th, but Joao played all the big points better. It was mostly winners and big serves, some dropshots too, so nothing Novak could really do. You can see he actually enjoyed it out there today, battling with this kid for 5 hours. At the end the better player won.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak has nothing to regret today. He had chances in the 4th and 5th, but Joao played all the big points better. It was mostly winners and big serves, some dropshots too, so nothing Novak could really do. You can see he actually enjoyed it out there today, battling with this kid for 5 hours. At the end the better player won.

A really good battle Don, agree Fonseca played the big points better.I enjoyed the match.

 

[El Dude]

That all seems to be the case with Fonseca. My first real look at him, and he has a great head on his young shoulders. Compare this to Ben Shelton. One thing that impressed me and almost frightened me was that he was almost like a throwback to the days of power tennis, the guy who kills your chances with aces struck at the right time. Mentally, he's tough, wasn't satisfied with having a good run at it: he was there to win that match. So many players enjoy the little perfumed cuddle with victorious legends at the net, the pat on the head - this chap wasn't overwhelmed and didn't seem to be there to do anything other than win...

The mental toughness was more evident. I haven't watched him much this year, but last year he seemed to be starstruck and almost too casual. This year there's been an element of coasting, as if he'll just automatically become great by showing up and flashing his skills. This match felt different...almost like it was the first one he REALLY wanted....and it showed. Woe to the rest of the tour if he can maintain and build upon this intensity.

 

[El Dude]

At the risk of sounding like a douche, actually, being a douche, I guess I was the first to mention Fonseca here:

Post in thread '2023 ATP General News' https://www.tennisfrontier.com/threads/2023-atp-general-news.7586/post-521803

What a douche, stealing my thunder.

 

[Jelenafan]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The mental toughness was more evident. I haven't watched him much this year, but last year he seemed to be starstruck and almost too casual. This year there's been an element of coasting, as if he'll just automatically become great by showing up and flashing his skills. This match felt different...almost like it was the first one he REALLY wanted....and it showed. Woe to the rest of the tour if he can maintain and build upon this intensity.

What has been impressive Fonseca has come back twice being down 2 sets to love, so far at RG this year, his focus to me has improved at RG, a surface that tests your mental and physical ability

 

[mrzz]

What a douche, stealing my thunder.

Well, there had to be at least one silver lining...

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

JFonsec said that he wanted to be in the same half of the draw with Novak.. he stated that last week...this is the attitude that spawns eventual grand slam champions.. Novak's body is in a world of hurt and pain.. I seriously doubt if he plays the pre SW19 grass tournaments.

I actually think this loss was a blessing in disguise for Novak. Even if he had won, he likely wasn't going to win RG anyway. By losing, he saves a lot of wear and tear, and leaves RG without injury.

I think Novak is in a good position heading into Wimbledon. (Remember, he was actually injured at RG in 2024, and went into Wimbledon not in the best shape, and still made it the Final.) With no Alcaraz, I think Novak is the favorite to win Wimbledon, as long as he is relatively healthy. No one else knows how to win Wimbledon the way Novak does. He's won it 7 damn times.

 

[El Dude]

What has been impressive Fonseca has come back twice being down 2 sets to love, so far at RG this year, his focus to me has improved at RG, a surface that tests your mental and physcial ability

Yeah, regardless of whether he beats Ruud or not, he answered my one nagging concern today: That he couldn't/wouldn't bring that champion's intensity. Now I feel more certain about him. Of course, as Kieran said, the real (or next) test is if he can follow-up, but even if he doesn't this time, we see what he can do.

The mental aspect of the game is really under-appreciated. I mean, we all know it is a big deal, but I think it is easy to forget, especially in terms of seeing the range of a single player. It is what separates a natural talent (Nalbandian) from a great (Federer), or a really good player (Monfils) from a Slam champion (Wawrinka). In terms of tennis talent, Monfils and Wawrinka are a lot closer than their records imply, and in some ways Gael was better, but whatever Stan did to conquer his demons for a few years resulted in three Slams, while Gael never won a Masters.

 

[Federberg]

we shall see.. I think these guys are carbon copy of each other although as you say, Ruud is more accomplished of the two players.. tommy is a grinder..noOne beats him in straight sets or bagel/breadsticks.. the guy make the proper counters during a match.. I like his game

looks like you were right. I went to watch the Michael Jackson movie. Just come back and seen that Fonseca won?? What the hell!? When I left Novak was 2 sets up!! So happy! Gotta watch that match now

 

[Federberg]

I cannot believe My Tommy Paul just got beat by the evil Casper Ruud ( the bully of the ATP) in 5 sets, after being up two sets. Ruud obviously was injesting banned substances like gummy bears the last 3 sets.

Just hand the trophy over to the Steroids king Casper now & call it a day!

But I’m not bitter.

oh! Is he a juicer??

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh wait,
Halys is the first to take a set off Zverev as he forces a 4th set on Chatrier

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I actually think this loss was a blessing in disguise for Novak. Even if he had won, he likely wasn't going to win RG anyway. By losing, he saves a lot of wear and tear, and leaves RG without injury.

I think Novak is in a good position heading into Wimbledon. (Remember, he was actually injured at RG in 2024, and went into Wimbledon not in the best shape, and still made it the Final.) With no Alcaraz, I think Novak is the favorite to win Wimbledon, as long as he is relatively healthy. No one else knows how to win Wimbledon the way Novak does. He's won it 7 damn times.

BTW Jannik will be well rested and he is the defending champion at Wimbledon and defeated Alcaraz last year, so dont count your chickens before they hatch!

 

[the AntiPusher]

looks like you were right. I went to watch the Michael Jackson movie. Just come back and seen that Fonseca won?? What the hell!? When I left Novak was 2 sets up!! So happy! Gotta watch that match now

Is it like getting your IRS reviewed and you discovered that the IRS owe you 15k plus interest. Oh what a way to have a fantastic weekend.. BtW, i hope you enjoyed the movie..my daughter and rest of the family loved the movie.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Zverev has a break and consolidated leads 4-1, unless he has a dip again, he will win the match in 4 sets
Zverev d Halys 64 63 57 62

 

[Federberg]

Is it like getting your IRS reviewed and you discovered that the IRS owe you 15k plus interest. Oh what a way to have a fantastic weekend.. BtW, i hope you enjoyed the movie..my daughter and rest of the family loved the movie.

it was excellent!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

it was excellent!

So it is worth going to see, I have heard mixed reports on the Michael Jackson movie though usually I go and make up my own mind