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Carlos Alcaraz Survives Five-Set Wimbledon Opening Clash

Carlos Alcaraz Survives Five-Set Wimbledon Opening Clash/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Carlos Alcaraz overcame veteran Fabio Fognini in five sets during a tense first-round Wimbledon match. Despite nerves and errors, the two-time defending champ prevailed after over four hours of play. Seven seeded men also exited Wimbledon on a dramatic opening day.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after beating Fabio Fognini of Italy during their first round men’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon Thriller Quick Look

  • Alcaraz defeated Fognini 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in 4½ hours.
  • Fognini, 38, pushed the reigning champ despite a winless season.
  • Alcaraz admitted nerves and vowed to improve next round.
  • Seven seeded men, including Medvedev and Berrettini, lost on Day 1.
  • Alcaraz faces qualifier Oliver Tarvet in the second round.
  • Fognini’s performance drew praise, though he plans retirement.
  • Day 2 features Coco Gauff, Djokovic, Krejcikova in key matches.
Fabio Fognini of Italy walks into the net and loses the point as he plays Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during their first round men’s singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Alcaraz Battles Past Fognini in Five-Set Wimbledon Opener

Deep Look

LONDON (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon’s two-time defending champion, needed every ounce of grit — and more than 4½ hours — to outlast veteran Fabio Fognini in a thrilling first-round clash at Centre Court on Monday.

Alcaraz, 22 and seeded No. 2, finally secured a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory over the 38-year-old Italian, who is set to retire this year and entered the tournament winless in 2025.

During the roller-coaster battle, Alcaraz vented frustration toward his coach, shouting about how Fognini “could keep playing until he’s 50.” Later, the Spaniard praised his opponent’s level, saying, “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. Unbelievable.”

Unexpected Battle for the Champion

The marathon match was not what many expected for Alcaraz, who arrived at the All England Club fresh off his French Open triumph three weeks ago and riding a career-best 19-match winning streak.

Meanwhile, Fognini — ranked 138th and 0-6 for the year — has never gone beyond Wimbledon’s third round in 15 appearances and owns just one career Grand Slam quarterfinal, at the French Open in 2011.

Despite the odds, Fognini pushed the reigning champion to his limits, saying afterward, “Didn’t expect to play five sets against him. I had my chance.”

Struggles and Nerves

Alcaraz’s stats reflected his struggles. He committed nine double faults and faced 21 break points, hitting 62 unforced errors to just 52 winners. He admitted nerves played a role:

“It doesn’t matter the winning streak that I have right now, that I’ve been playing great on grass, that I’ve been preparing really well. Wimbledon is different. I could feel today that I was really nervous at the beginning.”

Next, Alcaraz will face Oliver Tarvet, a 21-year-old British qualifier ranked No. 733 who plays college tennis at the University of San Diego.

Even after surviving the scare, Alcaraz said simply, “I have to improve in the next round.”

Fognini Bows Out With Fight

Fognini, whose wife Flavia Pennetta won the 2015 U.S. Open, showed remarkable composure throughout the match despite his reputation for fiery outbursts. In past Wimbledons, he’s been fined for explosive comments, including a $3,000 penalty in 2019 for wishing “a bomb would explode at the club.”

On Monday, though, he fought valiantly. After clinching the fourth set, his team snapped celebratory photos from his box. But in the decisive fifth, Alcaraz seized control, breaking early and never looking back.

When Alcaraz broke for a 2-0 lead with a backhand volley winner, he pumped his fist, yelling “Vamos!” The crowd erupted. Play briefly halted for over 10 minutes when a spectator fell ill amid record temperatures on Wimbledon’s opening day. After resumption, Alcaraz closed out the match decisively, leaving Fognini in tears in the locker room.

Day 1 Shocks at Wimbledon

Elsewhere on Monday, seeds fell left and right in the men’s draw. Among the seven seeded men who exited were 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini, No. 8 Holger Rune, No. 9 Daniil Medvedev (who also lost early at Roland-Garros), No. 16 Francisco Cerundolo, No. 20 Alexei Popyrin, No. 24 Stefanos Tsitsipas (retired due to a lingering back issue), and No. 31 Tallon Griekspoor.

On the women’s side, No. 20 Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open winner, was ousted. Advancing were No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 6 Madison Keys, 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova, and 2021 U.S. Open winner Emma Raducanu.

Tuesday’s Centre Court Lineup

Tuesday promises more big-name action:

  • No. 2 Coco Gauff, fresh off her second major title, faces Dayana Yastremska in the final Centre Court match.
  • Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova opens play against Alexandra Eala.
  • Novak Djokovic, eyeing a 25th Grand Slam, meets Alexandre Muller.
  • No. 1 Jannik Sinner plays fellow Italian Luca Nardi on No. 1 Court.

Despite his rocky start, Alcaraz remains alive in the draw — and firmly in pursuit of a third consecutive Wimbledon crown.

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