Alcaraz Survives Thriller Against Fognini as Wimbledon 2025 Kicks Off

The tennis world was treated to a captivating spectacle as two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz narrowly escaped an upset against Italian veteran Fabio Fognini in the first round of the Wimbledon 2025 Championships. The match, which lasted a grueling four hours and forty-five minutes, was played under sweltering conditions, with temperatures reaching 32°C (90°F).

Alcaraz, the second seed behind Italian rival Jannik Sinner, struggled on serve and made uncharacteristic errors off the ground throughout the contest. Despite this, he displayed remarkable resilience to secure victory, 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 6-1, thanks in part to a 15-minute pause in the deciding set due to a spectator falling ill. Alcaraz, showing his compassion, offered the stricken fan a bottle of cold water to help with their recovery.

In his final Wimbledon appearance before his planned retirement, 38-year-old Fognini twice fought back to force a decider, but Alcaraz regained control to extend his winning streak to 19 matches. The Spanish star, who recently claimed his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open, will next face British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, who secured his spot in the second round after beating Switzerland's Leandro Riedi in his Wimbledon debut.

Playing on Centre Court, Alcaraz found that the heat and long rally exchanges made for a challenging contest. He admitted that dealing with the high heat and long matches was difficult, and that the constant sun exposure took a toll on his performance. Despite this, he remains upbeat about his chances in the tournament, vowing to be ready to battle in the coming rounds.

This year's Wimbledon has seen a number of players grapple with the stifling conditions, with both Alcaraz and Fognini displaying their skills and endurance during their epic encounter. Image source: Getty Images

A concerned Alcaraz gave a bottle of water to the stricken spectator

Alcaraz has tinkered with his opening shot this season, which may have contributed to a first-serve percentage below 50%. Fognini, who turned professional when Alcaraz was still a toddler, displayed his experience and skill, returning smartly and playing with his trademark variety to keep Alcaraz on his toes.

Despite the pressure, Alcaraz showed his class and composure to come out on top, earning a broad smile and a friendly embrace from Fognini after the match. "I tried my best but I can be better. I need to improve in the next round," said Alcaraz, who is well aware that the competition will only get tougher as the tournament progresses.

Fognini, who is known for his colorful personality and occasional outbursts, was a worthy opponent, reminding fans of the fluid, natural talent that has troubled the very best players over the years. Although he has announced his plans to retire at the end of this year, Fognini was given a heartfelt ovation from the crowd as he took his leave from Wimbledon.

Alcaraz acknowledged Fognini's talent and expressed his sadness that this may be the Italian's final Wimbledon appearance. "Fabio is a great player and has shown his level and talent throughout his career," said Alcaraz. "I'm sad it's probably his last Wimbledon because with the level he is playing he can play for another three or four years."

As the tournament continues, fans can expect more exciting matches and thrilling performances from the world's best tennis players. For now, however, all eyes are on Alcaraz as he looks to defend his title and continue his winning streak.