The clearest sign Father Time is closing in on Djokovic?
· BBC SportBy
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter at Roland Garros
Published
When you consider all the ingredients and put them together in one pot, you could only conclude Novak Djokovic and Joao Fonseca cooked up a French Open classic.
Five sets. Almost five hours. Fluctuating drama. A carnival atmosphere. And a conclusion which nobody dared predict until Fonseca blasted down another ace to seal a victory which will never be forgotten.
It was a match for the ages.
Not only because of the quality and drama on display in a gripping contest - but for the fact Djokovic was old enough to be Fonseca's dad.
Djokovic, 39, departed Roland Garros for what he once again conceded might the final time, while 19-year-old Fonseca lapped up the acclaim after what seems certain to be the first of many memorable Grand Slam victories.
With Jannik Sinner beaten and Carlos Alcaraz injured, Djokovic has watched a golden opportunity to land a standalone record 25th major slip through his fingers.
Sure, German second seed Alexander Zverev and two-time French Open runner-up Casper Ruud remain in that half of the draw.
But had fourth seed Djokovic come through against Fonseca - as looked likely when he was two sets up, with break points when leading 4-3 in the fourth - it felt like he would grind through the gears next week in cooler temperatures.
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Instead, he must now reset and recharge to go again at Wimbledon next month.
Given he is a seven-time champion on a grass surface which younger players have struggled to master, Djokovic will always fancy his chances at the All England Club.
Djokovic can never be ruled out of becoming the oldest major men's singles champion of all time, but Father Time has been sat waiting on Djokovic's shoulder for a good while.
By rights, he should probably be basking in a post-retirement glow by now.
Coaching a young compatriot away from the public glare like Andy Murray, perhaps. Doing a promotional tour for a new Netflix documentary like Rafael Nadal, maybe.
While his long-time rivals move into the next phase of their lives, Djokovic was retching at the side of a court in an attempt to summon the energy to beat a teenager.
It is a testament to his superpower that he still wants to push himself to such limits against much younger opponents.
As we have seen time and time again, Djokovic's insatiable appetite for the sport's biggest prizes will never diminish.
But, having reached at least the semi-finals at the past five Grand Slams, this was the clearest sign yet that the ageing process was finally catching up with him.
Djokovic looked in complete control as he moved two sets ahead, but could not maintain his level as Fonseca proved he is the real deal.
"It would be nice if it was best-of-three," Djokovic smiled.
"I just ran out of gas, to be honest. I didn't feel good at all on the court in the next couple of sets."
Djokovic has always thrived in the best-of-five format of the majors, beating almost anybody who has stood in his way for almost two years.
The only exceptions have been Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and the knee injury which forced him to quit against Alexander Zverev at last year's Australian Open.
Everyone else has not been good enough, or not had the mentality, to see veteran Djokovic off.
Djokovic has continued to maintain he can beat anyone when he is playing close to his best.
So the admission he made in the Roland Garros media centre - less than half an hour after walking off the court against Fonseca - was revealing.
"I think the level was really good. I was happy with my level," said Djokovic, who was playing at only his third event since losing to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in January.
"I don't think I've done too much wrong with my game. It's just that he was just better."
Like virtually everyone else who watches tennis, Djokovic has suspected for a long time that Fonseca has the capacity to go to the top.
Djokovic revealed as early as last year's Australian Open that he was already a member of Fonseca's growing fan club, even though the Brazilian teenager had barely played a Grand Slam match at that stage.
In their first meeting on the match court, Djokovic found out first hand how good he actually is.
Fonseca's biggest weapon is the ferocious forehand that leaves opponents beaten and spectators gasping with excitement.
While that was again the case on Chatrier, what was arguably more impressive was his ability to demonstrate a more subtle approach as victory came into sight.
Fonseca knew Djokovic was waning physically on another hot Paris evening, showing the composure to play the right shots at the right times - and execute them - to inflict serious damage.
If the greater consistency of his groundstrokes was the jab, the deftness of his dropshot was the body shot. The strength of his serve - firing down three aces from a break down to seal victory - proved to be the knockout blow.
"I think we all saw today why there is hype around him," said Djokovic.
This was the moment which the thousands of boisterous Brazilians inside Court Philippe Chatrier - and those who have descended on tournaments over the past two years - had been waiting for.
Queues have regularly been snaking outside the outside courts wherever Fonseca has played - from Melbourne to Miami, Roland Garros to Rio de Janeiro.
Only two players from the South American nation - Maria Bueno and Gustavo Kuerten - have won major singles titles.
Kuerten was the last Brazilian man to lift a Grand Slam singles trophy when he claimed his third French Open title in 2001.
The fans who created pockets of green and gold - by wearing Brazil football shirts and waving national flags - celebrated joyously and chanted Fonseca's name when he completed a long-awaited landmark win.
Now the Brazilians are dreaming Fonseca will follow in Kuerten's footsteps and win the Coupe des Mousquetaires next weekend.
It is fanciful, seeing as he has only reached the last 16 of a major for the first time, but not impossible given the men's draw continues to be blown wide open.
Djokovic's elimination means a first-time Grand Slam champion is guaranteed, following the shock departure of heavy favourite Sinner on Thursday.
Someone will take advantage. On reflection, Djokovic may feel it should have been him.