The sun blazed down on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, where the mercury hit an unprecedented 31°C on the opening day of the 2025 Championships, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion and world No. 3, entered as a titan, fresh off his French Open and Queen’s Club triumphs. Yet, in a first-round clash against 38-year-old Fabio Fognini, playing his final Wimbledon, Alcaraz nearly unraveled. The Spaniard battled through a marathon five-setter, surviving 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 after four hours and 37 minutes. While he dodged what tennis legend Pat Cash dubbed “the biggest upset in Wimbledon history,” his sloppy performance drew a scathing rebuke from British icon Tim Henman, who branded it “careless” and “bizarre.”
At 22, Alcaraz is no stranger to Wimbledon’s pressures, having clinched titles in 2023 and 2024 to cement his status as a five-time Grand Slam champion. Against Fognini, however, his game faltered alarmingly. His trademark baseline brilliance gave way to 62 unforced errors, far outpacing his winners, while a shaky 58% first-serve percentage left him vulnerable. Fognini, a former top-10 player known for his flamboyant shot-making, capitalized with crafty volleys and aggressive returns. “I am so surprised at the poor execution and surprised at his reactions,” Henman remarked on BBC’s coverage, his tone laced with incredulity. “He is missing shots that I cannot believe he is missing. It is certainly a concern for his coaching team. He has been pretty careless.”
The match was a test of endurance and nerve. Alcaraz seized the first set 7-5 with a crucial break, but Fognini, undaunted by the sweltering conditions, fought back to claim the second in a tense tiebreak. The third set tilted Alcaraz’s way, but his focus wavered in the fourth, which Fognini dominated 6-2. As the fifth set loomed, Henman’s critique sharpened: “I do not think I have ever seen him so out of sorts. It certainly was not meant to go like this. I have never seen Carlos Alcaraz look this out of sorts on such a big stage.” Yet, Alcaraz’s athleticism prevailed in the decider, where he overwhelmed a fading Fognini with explosive groundstrokes and relentless energy.
Alcaraz acknowledged his struggles post-match, giving credit to his opponent’s tenacity. “I have to improve going forward in SW19,” he said, his voice steady but reflective. “First of all, I don’t know why it is Fabio Fognini’s last Wimbledon because the level he has shown shows he can still play for three or four more years. I have to give him the credit for such a great match.” Fognini’s ability to exploit Alcaraz’s errors, particularly on the slick grass, exposed vulnerabilities in the Spaniard’s game. Henman noted that Fognini “worked out how to beat Alcaraz,” making the victory a testament to Alcaraz’s resilience under pressure.
Henman’s criticism wasn’t new. Earlier in 2025, he had flagged Alcaraz’s erratic shot selection as a potential barrier to reaching double-digit Grand Slams, likening his lapses to those of Nick Kyrgios. “Carlos has set the bar for his performances so high because his form has been absolutely sensational,” Henman said, highlighting the expectations Alcaraz carries. “He keeps making life difficult for himself. Alcaraz is just making some easy misses here, it has been a very bizarre performance from him.” The match underscored the fine margins at Wimbledon, where, as Henman later told the BBC, “if you’re slightly off your game, you’re going to be vulnerable.”
The day itself was chaotic, with 23 seeded players crashing out in the first round, tying a 25-year Grand Slam record. “It’s kind of shocking,” Alcaraz admitted, emphasizing his focus on the task ahead. “I just try to be more focused, even more focused on the tournament.” His next opponent, British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, ranked No. 733, earned his Wimbledon debut with a straight-sets upset over Leandro Riedi. “He is playing great tennis on grass,” Alcaraz noted. “I have to be ready and I will try to put my best tennis out for the match.” A cleaner performance is essential as he chases a rare third straight Wimbledon title, a feat eluding even Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz’s survival, though imperfect, showcased his champion’s grit. His explosive movement and anticipation remain tailor-made for grass, but consistency will be critical. As he navigates Wimbledon’s hallowed courts, Henman’s words linger as a challenge: refine the brilliance, curb the carelessness. With Hen Ascot and further glory on the horizon, Alcaraz’s journey at SW19 is a reminder that even the greats must battle their own flaws to conquer the game’s grandest stage.
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