Former coach of Gustavo Kuerten, Larri Passos has offered a blunt assessment of modern tennis, saying he finds the current game “boring” while praising the rise of Brazil’s João Fonseca. Passos, who worked with the three-time French Open champion Kuerten, highlighted Fonseca’s maturity and competitive edge, arguing that the young Brazilian has a special quality when facing the sport’s biggest names.
The discussion comes amid an open and unpredictable Roland Garros, where the men’s draw has been shaken by the early exits and absences of several of the sport’s top stars. Novak Djokovic was defeated by Fonseca, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was ruled out with injury and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner suffered a first-round elimination. With those results, Roland Garros is set to crown a new Grand Slam champion, a rare development in the current era.
Fonseca’s victory over Djokovic has intensified expectations around the Brazilian teenager, who is now trying to end his country’s long drought at Roland Garros. Brazil has not produced a men’s champion in Paris since Gustavo Kuerten, who lifted the trophy in 1997, 2000, and 2001. Fonseca said he feels physically ready for the challenge ahead, although he acknowledged that he has limited experience in five-set matches. He has already played two such matches at the tournament and is approaching the later rounds with a focus on recovery and mental strength.
In his own words, the young player stressed the importance of rest and determination, saying he is learning from each match and preparing to compete with heart and full commitment on court. His next opponent will be Norway’s Casper Ruud, another player who has already endured a demanding five-set battle in Paris. Ruud advanced after a marathon win over Tommy Paul that lasted 4 hours and 47 minutes, showing the physical toll that remains in the draw.
Roland Garros has also become a stage for a changing generational landscape. Among active players, only Djokovic, Alcaraz and Stan Wawrinka had previously won the tournament, while Sinner is still chasing his first title in Paris. Other leading players, including Alexander Zverev, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Flavio Cobolli and Andrey Rublev, are also seeking their first Roland Garros crown.
At the same time, a new wave of young talent is pushing through. Alongside Fonseca, teenagers and rising players such as Rafael Jodar, Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien are making strong impressions in the tournament. Their progress underscores a broader shift in men’s tennis, where established champions are being challenged by a new generation eager to break through on the biggest stages.
For Passos, Fonseca stands out not only for his results, but for his mentality. In a tournament marked by surprises, the Brazilian’s run has become one of the most compelling stories in Paris.
