Carlos Alcaraz expressed satisfaction after battling through nerves and sweltering conditions to secure a hard-fought five-set victory over Fabio Fognini in the first round of Wimbledon on Monday.
In intense heat, Alcaraz began his quest for a third straight Wimbledon title by overcoming the experienced Italian 7-5, 6-7 (1), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in a match lasting four hours and 37 minutes.
"I'm learning how to handle difficult moments," the Spaniard said. "I believe true champions always find solutions. I want to be among those players—someone who figures out how to win, no matter what. I've faced many tough matches over the past year in this tournament, and I'm proud that I keep finding a way. Today was no different, even though Fabio played extremely well. I’m happy I managed to push through the challenges."
While major titles aren’t decided in the opening round, an early loss can end any hope. So far in his career, Alcaraz has excelled at staying competitive in every event. With this win, he preserved his flawless record of 18 consecutive first-round victories in grand slam tournaments. He has also won 14 of his 15 five-set matches.
Fognini, 38, has been a consistent presence on the tour for years, peaking at No. 9 in the rankings and securing notable wins. However, in what is likely his final season, wins have been hard to find. He has lost all six of his main-draw matches this year, including defeats to players ranked outside the top 350. In contrast, Alcaraz entered the tournament in peak form, riding an 18-match winning streak with recent titles at the French Open and Queen’s Club. On paper, the match shouldn’t have been close.
Alcaraz initially struggled with his serve but seemed on course for a straightforward win after taking a 7-5, 4-2 lead. Yet, as has happened before, his focus wavered. A poor service game cost him the break, and a series of errors in the third-set tiebreaker allowed Fognini to level the match. Alcaraz then trailed 2-3 in the third set.
"Regardless of my current winning streak or how well I’ve prepared, Wimbledon is always different," Alcaraz admitted. "I felt nervous at the start. Playing the first match on Centre Court is a huge honor, and even though I did it last year, it still feels new. I just tried to handle the pressure as best I could."
Though Fognini has lost some mobility with age, his shotmaking ability remains sharp, and the high-stakes occasion brought out some of his best play. His forehand—
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