Alcaraz avoids Fognini shock after fan taken ill

Wimbledon 2025

Venue: All England Club, June 30 – 13 .

In the first round of Wimbledon, two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Italian veteran Fabio Fognini met in a meeting with British qualifier Oliver Tarvet to prepare for a seismic shock.

Alcaraz won the grass-court Grand Slam tournament 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, and 6-1 as he broke through the first day’s sweaty opening session.

After a 15-minute break in the final set, the 22-year-old Spaniard quickly seized control of the match.

A sunburned spectator was taken to the hospital, and Alcaraz gave them a bottle of cold water to aid in their recovery.

Alcaraz struggled on serve and made uncharacteristic errors off the ground throughout the four-and-a-half hour contest at temperatures topping 32C, finishing second to Italian rival Jannik Sinner.

Fognini, 38, twice fought back in his final Wimbledon match before his planned retirement, but Alcaraz resurrected control and shortened his winning streak to 19 matches.

Alcaraz won the Queen’s trophy on his return to British grass after defeating Sinner in an all-time classic final earlier this month. Alcaraz won his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open.

Alcaraz burst into a wide smile and shared a warm embrace with his rival as he finally put an end to Fognini’s resistance.

“I tried my best, but I can’t.” In the upcoming round, I need to improve, Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz is well-versed in playing in the scorching heat because he is originally from Murcia’s sun-soaked region.

However, it was not ideal to have to start his most recent title defense with a protracted contest in the challenging circumstances.

The players hoping to win the fortnight want to keep as much energy as possible in the opening matches, but Alcaraz needed to work up his physical and mental reserves to defeat Fognini.

Playing in such high heat is “incredibly challenging,” Alcaraz said, “and it gets even more challenging when you play long matches and rallies.”

“Part of the match is when the sun starts to hit you constantly, so you may feel a little down.” I must be prepared for battle.

Alcaraz is familiar with playing the opening game of Wimbledon on its most famous court, as tradition dictates, but he lacks the freedom and fluency he is known for.

Alcaraz’s first shot has been inconsistent this season, which may have contributed to Fognini’s constant pressure-adjusted first-serve percentage below 50%.

Fognini turned professional when Alcaraz was just a toddler, but the expressive Italian showed how much he still enjoys displaying his talents on the biggest stages.

Alcaraz, who was criticized for gesturing and hurling at his team, was puzzled by his return, which showed his trademark variety and continued to play with his trademark variety.

Alcaraz’s free attack, however, causes trouble for his rivals.

Alcaraz’s face was brightened by a humorous exchange at the start of the decisive, when Fognini playfully threatened to hit a ball at his younger rival.

From that point, he found more rhythm and dominated the fifth set, passing both the forced emergency break, which had stifled Fognini’s concentration.

Alcaraz remarked, “Playing the first match on Center Court is never simple.”

However, his pushed Alcaraz in a way that recalled the fluid, natural talent that has frequently caused the best players to struggle over the years.

Andy Murray’s ability on the red dirt also troubled the former world number nine, who is one of the few players to have won in a row over Rafael Nadal on clay.

Fognini, who reached the 2011 French Open quarter-finals, has announced he plans to retire at the end of this year, though he has not specifically stated when. His best major appearance came in 2011.

Before hurling his shoes into the crowd, Alcaraz quickly led the crowd to applaud Fognini, who was then given a heartfelt ovation.

Because of his level of play, Alcaraz can play for another three or four years, he said, “I don’t know why this is his last Wimbledon.”

“Fabio has consistently demonstrated his level and talent throughout his career.