At just 18 years old, João Fonseca, ranked 65th in the ATP, steps onto court 14 at Roland Garros this Thursday, May 29, to take on Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round. The Grand Slam, played on the clay courts of Paris, features 32 singles players in both men’s and women’s draws, with matches broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+. Fonseca’s match, set for around 11 a.m. Brasília time, draws attention after his commanding debut win over Hubert Hurkacz. Other top names, including Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Coco Gauff, also compete today in a packed day of pivotal clashes. The tournament, running until June 8, ranks among the most prestigious in global tennis.
Fonseca, the only Brazilian left in the singles draw, carries high expectations after defeating Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. Court 7, filled with Brazilian fans, buzzed with energy, with long lines and even attempts by supporters to access the press room after failing to secure seats.
- Brazilian spotlight: Fonseca is the first player born in 2006 to win an ATP match and the youngest Brazilian to crack the top 100.
- Live coverage: ESPN and Disney+ broadcast the matches, focusing on main courts.
- Key times: Alongside Fonseca, matches like Sinner vs. Gasquet and Djokovic vs. Moutet kick off early.
The clash with Herbert, ranked 147th, marks their first professional meeting. The Frenchman, renowned for his doubles prowess, aims to upset the home crowd’s expectations.
Packed schedule on main courts
Court Philippe-Chatrier, the tournament’s centerpiece, opens at 7 a.m. with Ann Li facing Jessica Pegula in women’s singles. Next, Jannik Sinner, world number one, takes on Richard Gasquet, who is playing his final Roland Garros. Madison Keys and Katie Boulter follow in another women’s match, while Gael Monfils and Jack Draper close the evening session, starting no earlier than 3:15 p.m. The court, seating 15,000, remains the focal point.
Court Suzanne-Lenglen, the second-largest venue, begins at 6 a.m. with Jaume Munar against Arthur Fils. Coco Gauff, ranked second in the women’s draw, faces young Tereza Valentova, followed by Novak Djokovic, a three-time champion, against Corentin Moutet. Daria Kasatkina and Leolia Jeanjean round out the slate.
Other courts, including Simonne-Mathieu and numbered courts 6 to 14, host simultaneous matches from 6 a.m. Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Alex De Minaur headline the men’s side, while Mirra Andreeva, Paula Badosa, and Barbora Krejcikova compete in women’s singles.
Fonseca’s clay court journey
Fonseca enters the second round after a debut that earned praise from former players like Andy Roddick and Sam Querrey. His win over Hurkacz, a former top-10 player, was labeled “clinical” by tennis outlets. The Brazilian broke his opponent’s serve twice in the first set and maintained control, fueled by the crowd’s energy.
Before Roland Garros, Fonseca played three clay tournaments in 2025: the Madrid Open, where he fell in the second round to Tommy Paul; the Estoril Challenger, losing in the first round to Jesper De Jong; and the Rome Open, where Fabian Marozsan defeated him. Despite this record, his Paris performance signals growth.
- Debut stats: 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 over Hurkacz, with 78% of first-serve points won.
- Live ranking: The win boosted him to 57th, his career-high.
- Historical note: Fonseca is the second-youngest player to win at Roland Garros in the last decade, trailing only Carlos Alcaraz in 2021.
Herbert’s track record
Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Fonseca’s opponent, is 34 and better known for doubles, with five Grand Slam titles. In singles, his peak ranking was 36th in 2019. At Roland Garros, he has never advanced past the third round in singles, but his clay court experience and home support pose challenges.
In the first round, Herbert beat compatriot Benjamin Bonzi in four sets. His game plan likely centers on powerful serves and net approaches, leveraging the versatility honed in doubles. The match against Fonseca will test his endurance.
Other Brazilians in the mix
While Fonseca is the sole Brazilian in singles, Brazil has doubles representatives. Rafael Matos and Marcelo Melo, winners of the 2025 Rio Open, exited in the first round. Orlando Luz, paired with Ivan Dodig, Fernando Romboli, with John-Patrick Smith, and Marcelo Demoliner, with Nicolas Jarry, remain active, with matches pending.
In women’s singles, Beatriz Haddad Maia fell to Hailey Baptiste in the first round, and Thiago Monteiro lost to a Czech opponent. Fonseca’s solitary presence in singles amplifies his role as Brazil’s flagbearer.
- Brazilian doubles: Five Brazilian players entered, but only three pairs remain.
- Recent struggles: Haddad Maia and Monteiro faltered on clay.
- Fonseca’s burden: The teenager is Brazil’s main hope in Paris.
Tournament structure
Roland Garros, held since 1891, is the only Grand Slam on clay. The 2025 edition, starting May 25, features 128 players in the main singles draw, with 32 seeds. The event runs until June 8, with men’s and women’s finals on June 7 and 8.
Clay courts demand physical stamina and specific tactics, like extended rallies and heavy spin. Players like Alcaraz, the defending champion, and Djokovic, the record Grand Slam holder, adapt to the slow surface. Fonseca’s aggressive style has shone in this setting.
Broadcast and fan access
Matches air in Brazil on ESPN, covering main courts, and Disney+, streaming all games. The Lance! WhatsApp channel provides real-time updates, including scores and highlights.
On-site, the Roland Garros complex, with 18 courts, welcomes thousands daily. Court 14, hosting Fonseca, has limited seating, but security was tightened after the crowd chaos during his debut.
- Viewing options: ESPN (cable) and Disney+ (streaming).
- Real-time updates: Lance!’s WhatsApp channel delivers instant news.
- Venue access: Tickets for smaller courts like 14 start at 50 euros.
Players to watch today
Beyond Fonseca, key matches stand out. Jannik Sinner faces Gasquet in a generational clash. Djokovic, chasing a 25th Grand Slam, battles Moutet, while Monfils and Draper promise a thrilling nightcap. In women’s singles, Gauff, Pegula, and Keys are favored.
The second round also saw Stefanos Tsitsipas fall early to Matteo Gigante and Karen Khachanov edge Sebastian Ofner in five sets, underscoring the tournament’s intensity.
Parisian clay trivia
Roland Garros’ clay is a blend of clay and crushed brick, applied in 8-millimeter layers. Daily maintenance involves watering and leveling for consistency. This surface suits players with strong movement, like Fonseca, who uses speed to dominate the court.
The tournament is also famed for its culinary offerings, with crepes and wines in fan zones. The 2025 edition added interactive screens in public areas, letting fans follow matches on smaller courts.
- Unique surface: Clay adds up to 10 seconds per point compared to hard courts.
- New features: Expanded screens and dining areas debuted in 2025.
- Legacy: The event launched legends like Gustavo Kuerten, a three-time champion from 1997 to 2001.
Fonseca’s outlook
The Herbert match offers Fonseca a chance to cement his rise. A win could pit him against Alex De Minaur or Alexander Bublik in the third round. Currently 57th in the live rankings, Fonseca is three spots from the top 50 if he advances.
Brazilian fans, who packed court 7 in his opener, are expected to turn out again for court 14. Organizers are considering moving Fonseca’s future matches to larger venues like Simonne-Mathieu if ticket demand persists.