After entering the fourth hour and fifth set of a match previously tipped to be nothing more than a notable formality, Carlos Alcaraz came up with a ploy that is now typical of his style.
Having ground out his opponent, the Italian veteran Fabio Fognini, to get an early break in the deciding set, up 2-0, he was immediately down 15-40 and facing an uphill task again. A whizzing crosscourt backhand was returned with a deft backhand drop shot, that stayed impossibly low yet was still above the net, floating teasingly long enough to give Fognini the impression that he may pick it up but bouncing past him by the time he had tied his feet into a knot and lay flat on the floor. From there, Fognini would win only one game.
The pressure may rise, and the potential of ignominy may face him, but Alcaraz is unlikely to change. But here it may have cost him.
Nothing but respect ♥️#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/X0FOc0MbfM
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2025
The decision of British sporting royalty – Stuart Broad, Gareth Southgate and David Beckham – were suited up to occupy their seats in the royal box on Centre Court – was vindicated as they were treated to a humdinger of an opening round.
Alcaraz huffed and puffed and consternated but kept his focus just enough to survive, beating Fognini 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. The two-time defending champion is heavily tipped to complete his treble at SW19 after successfully defending his title at Roland Garros a few weeks ago.
But perhaps no other heavy pre-tournament favourite over the last two decades would be put to the test in such a fashion in the opening round, let alone against a player who has been winless since October last year. Fognini, 38, played his last match at Wimbledon as he has decided to retire at the end of the year.
And that trait is also typical of the Spaniard’s game. While Alcaraz survived – and top players survive scares like this – he must also emulate the top players’ ability to go through the gears and improve across a long fortnight of tennis on the biggest stage. Aspects of his game were wayward on Monday: his first-serve success rate was down to 58 percent, he made 62 unforced errors and converted only 7 of 15 break points. But the greater cause for concern was his failure to step it up in the crucial moments.
What. A. Match. 🤩
Carlos Alcaraz wins an epic duel in the sun against Fabio Fognini, 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/JF9prwRk1q
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2025
Credit where it’s due, Fognini, a former top 10 player, rolled back the years to produce some of his best tennis, presumably feeding off the fact that he is possibly playing his last match on such a big stage. But Alcaraz simply refused to put him away when the chances arrived.
His performance in the second-set tiebreaker was lax, committing error after error and not taking advantage of his chances. He was lucky to escape with the third set despite failing to make good on his early break and failing to serve it out. He allowed Fognini back into it by letting his focus waver in the fourth.
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These lapses show up in his game quite often – he survived a similar scare against Frances Tiafoe in the third round at Wimbledon last year, and was eliminated by Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round at the US Open.
Alcaraz escaped on Monday, but he may not always be so lucky. One can expect his team to drill this into him, for he may entertain the London faithful and make a place for himself in their hearts, but Majors are won the boring way too.
