Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz narrowly sidestepped a major upset against seasoned Italian Fabio Fognini in the Wimbledon first round, securing a spot in the next round against British qualifier Oliver Tarvet.
In a gripping five-set battle, Alcaraz fought hard to clinch the victory, winning 7-5, 6-7(5-7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1, kicking off Center Court’s action on the blistering first day of the grass-court grand slam.
The match resumed after a 15-minute delay in the final set, with Alcaraz quickly sealing the deal in an exciting contest that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.
During the tense moments, a sun-soaked spectator fainted, prompting Alcaraz to step in with a bottle of cold water to help them recover, showcasing sportsmanship beyond the court.
Seeded second behind Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz faced plenty of challenges, notably struggling on serve and making uncharacteristic errors in the scorching 32°C heat. Still, the 22-year-old Spaniard persisted through the grueling 4.5 hours.
In his last Wimbledon appearance before retirement, 38-year-old Fognini twice rallied to push the match to a final decider, but Alcaraz regained his composure and continued his fierce winning streak, now at 19 matches.
Fresh off winning his fifth Grand Slam at the French Open earlier this month—defeating Sinner in a legendary final—Alcaraz also lifted the Queen’s trophy upon returning to British grass.
Relieved and smiling broadly, Alcaraz celebrated ending Fognini’s fight, sharing a friendly embrace with his opponent.
“I gave it my all, but I know I can do better. I’ll keep working for the next round,” Alcaraz said.
Up next for the young star is 21-year-old Oliver Tarvet, who earned his shot at greatness after stunning Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi on his Wimbledon debut.
Nightmare Start for Alcaraz
Hailing from the sun-drenched region of Murcia, Carlos Alcaraz is no stranger to playing in scorching heat. However, kicking off his title defense with a grueling marathon in such challenging conditions was far from ideal.
The top contenders aiming for deep runs know they need to conserve energy early on, but Alcaraz had to draw on both his physical endurance and mental toughness to overcome Fabio Fognini in a tough battle.
“Playing in such intense heat is extremely tough, especially during long rallies and extended points,” Alcaraz admitted. “There are moments when you feel a little discouraged because of the relentless sun. You have to be prepared to fight through it.”
Tradition had the No. 1 seed starting his Wimbledon campaign on the iconic Centre Court, but on this occasion, he struggled to find the usual ease and fluidity he’s known for. Despite the vibrant atmosphere on the court — which remained lively despite the oppressive heat — Alcaraz lost his serve five times in a match filled with thrilling exchanges between two of tennis’s brightest talents.
Alcaraz has experimented with his opening shot this season, and that may have contributed to his first-serve percentage dropping below 50%, giving Fognini plenty of opportunities to apply pressure.
Fognini, who turned pro when Alcaraz was still a toddler, demonstrated his flair and love for showcasing his skills on the biggest stages. His clever returning and varied shot selection kept Alcaraz guessing, leading to visible frustration and gestures of exasperation directed toward his team.
However, when Alcaraz finds his rhythm and hits freely, he becomes a difficult adversary for any opponent. A light-hearted moment at the start of the deciding set—when Fognini jokingly threatened to fire a ball at his younger rival—brought a smile back to Alcaraz’s face.
From that point on, the reigning champion found his groove, cruising through the fifth set, even as an unexpected emergency break briefly disrupted Fognini’s focus.
“Playing the first match on Centre Court is never easy,” Alcaraz said. “I’ve been practicing really well and feeling good, but Wimbledon has its own unique challenges. I could definitely sense the difference today.”
As Fognini waves farewell to Wimbledon, it’s clear that while he still loves to showcase his skills, Alcaraz’s resilience and newfound rhythm are shaping him into a formidable contender.
Fognini is a colorful character—an absolute joy to watch, though sometimes he’s been known to cross the line. Remember his infamous 2019 outburst when he expressed a wish for a bomb to explode at Wimbledon? That moment showed his fiery side.
But the way he challenged Alcaraz tonight was a reminder of his natural, fluid talent that has often troubled the world’s best players. His skill on court is undeniable. A former world No. 9, Fognini is one of the few to have beaten Rafael Nadal multiple times on clay, and his ability on red dirt has also posed problems for Britain’s Andy Murray.
His best Grand Slam run came in 2011, when he reached the quarter-finals of the French Open. Now, he’s announced plans to retire at the end of this year, though he hasn’t revealed exactly when he’ll hang up his racket.
After securing his victory, Alcaraz quickly called on the crowd to applaud Fognini, and the veteran received a heartfelt ovation before he flung his shoes into the stands.
“I don’t know why this is his last Wimbledon—based on his level right now, he could easily play for another three or four years,” said Alcaraz. “Fabio is a fantastic player, and he’s shown his talent and skill throughout his career.
“I’m sad it might be his last Wimbledon, but I feel privileged to have shared the court with him.”
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