On a swelteringly historic opening day at Wimbledon 2025, with temperatures soaring to a record-breaking 91°F, two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faced an unexpected battle against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini in a gripping first-round match on Centre Court. The 22-year-old Spaniard, riding a career-best 19-match winning streak, was pushed to the brink in a four-and-a-half-hour, five-set thriller that ended 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. The match, marked by electrifying rallies and raw emotion, culminated in a heartfelt gesture from Alcaraz that left a lasting impression on the tennis world.
Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed and a five-time Grand Slam champion, entered the match as the overwhelming favorite, fresh off titles at the French Open, Queen’s Club, Rome, and Monte-Carlo. His opponent, 38-year-old Fognini, ranked 138th and winless in 2025, was making his final Wimbledon appearance before retirement. Despite the disparity in their current form, Fognini’s flair and experience made the encounter anything but straightforward. “I didn’t expect to play five sets against him,” Fognini admitted, reflecting on the intensity of the battle. “I had my chance.”
The match unfolded as a rollercoaster of momentum swings. Alcaraz struck first, breaking Fognini’s serve with a pinpoint lob at 5-5 to claim the opening set 7-5. However, his first-serve percentage dipped below 50%, and unforced errors—62 compared to 52 winners—piled up, allowing Fognini to capitalize. The Italian, known for his flashy shot-making, leveled the match in a second-set tiebreak, bewildering Alcaraz with crisp returns and a flat backhand that produced 14 winners in the fourth set alone. “I can’t serve and I can’t return,” Alcaraz was heard lamenting during the tiebreak, his frustration evident as he gestured toward his player box.
The third set saw Alcaraz rally from a break down, reclaiming the lead with a 7-5 scoreline, but Fognini’s resilience shone in the fourth, where he didn’t face a single break point, cruising to a 6-2 victory. As the match headed to a decider—the first time a defending men’s champion had been pushed to five sets in the first round since Roger Federer in 2010—Alcaraz recalibrated. A backhand volley winner gave him a 2-0 lead, prompting a fist-pumping “Vamos!” to the roaring crowd. “I’m getting mature and I know how to deal with some situations,” Alcaraz later said, emphasizing his ability to find a way through adversity. “I always say that the champions always find a way.”
Midway through the fifth set, with Alcaraz leading 3-0, play paused for over 10 minutes when a spectator succumbed to the oppressive heat. In a moment of compassion, Alcaraz sprinted to the stands with a bottle of cold water to aid the fan’s recovery, a gesture that underscored his character. “Playing with such high heat out there is really difficult,” he noted, acknowledging the physical toll of the match’s long rallies. When play resumed, Alcaraz dominated, sealing the victory and extending his perfect 18-0 first-round record at Grand Slams.
The emotional climax came post-match. Fognini, visibly moved by the Centre Court crowd’s standing ovation, broke down in tears in the locker room. Alcaraz, showing sportsmanship beyond his years, led the applause for his opponent. “I don’t know why it’s his last Wimbledon, because the level he has shown, he can still play three or four more years,” Alcaraz said, praising Fognini’s enduring talent. “I’m just a little bit sad it’s his last Wimbledon, but happy to have shared the court and locker room with him.” In a touching moment, Fognini requested Alcaraz’s match-worn shirt for his son, a devoted fan of the Spaniard. Alcaraz obliged, creating a cherished memory for the Fognini family, with Flavia Pennetta, the 2015 US Open champion, watching from the stands with their child.
The match, attended by dignitaries like David Beckham and Gareth Southgate in the Royal Box, highlighted Alcaraz’s resilience and Fognini’s enduring showmanship. Despite his 0-6 record this season, Fognini’s performance recalled his past triumphs, including multiple wins over Rafael Nadal on clay. For Alcaraz, the victory kept alive his dream of becoming the fifth man to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles. “Playing the first match on Centre Court is never easy,” he admitted. “Wimbledon is special. It’s different.” As he prepares to face British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, ranked 733rd, in the second round on July 2, Alcaraz remains focused: “I have to improve in the next round.”
This epic encounter, blending fierce competition with moments of humanity, will be remembered not only for its drama but for the mutual respect between a rising star and a retiring legend.
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