Wimbledon: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz beats Fognini in five-set thriller
What's the story
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz started his title defense at 2025 Wimbledon with a win over Fabio Fognini. Alcaraz claimed a 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 win in the men's singles opening round at the Centre Court. The Spaniard is unbeaten at Wimbledon since 2023, having won the last two editions. He has a win percentage of over 90 at Wimbledon.
Match stats
A look at match stats
Alcaraz won a total of 182 points and 52 winners throughout the match. He served 14 aces compared to Fognini's five. The former had a win percentage of 70 and 52 in the first and second serves, respectively. He converted seven of his 15 break points. Notably, Alcaraz had more unforced errors (62) than Fognini (58). Both of them registered nine double-faults.
Record
Alcaraz attains these feats
According to Opta, Alcaraz has become the fourth player in the Open Era to win each of their first 18 opening men's singles matches at Grand Slam events. He joined Arthur Ashe, Bjorn Borg, and Rafael Nadal. Moreover, Alcaraz has won the joint-most Grand Slam five-setters in the Open Era (14) in his first 15, with Mats Wilander.
Information
Alcaraz surpasses these legends
As per Opta, Alcaraz is the fastest player to win 30 ATP matches on grass in the Open Era. With a 30-3 record, the Spaniard surpassed Rod Laver and Tony Roche, each of whom owns 34 victories.
Form
Alcaraz has been on a roll
Earlier this month, Alcaraz won the Queen's Club after beating Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7 (5), 5-2 in the final. He started the 2025 season with a quarter-final exit at Australian Open. He won the ATP Rotterdam title thereafter. Alcaraz was ousted early in Miami before he captured the Monte-Carlo Masters. He won the Italian Open and Roland Garros titles next.
2023
Alcaraz entered record books with 2023 Wimbledon honor
In 2023, Alcaraz scripted history by winning Wimbledon. The Spaniard outlasted Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller. Notably, the Serb was unbeaten at the grass-court Slam since 2016. Alcaraz became the second player to defeat Djokovic in a Wimbledon final, joining Andy Murray. He also became the first player outside of the Big 4 with the Wimbledon ttile since 2002.
2024
Massive record for Alcaraz in 2024
For the second successive year, Alcaraz won Wimbledon after beating Djokovic in the final, in straight sets this time. As per Opta, Alcaraz (21 years 70 days) became the third-youngest man in the Open Era to win the singles title at Wimbledon in back-to-back editions, joining Boris Becker (18y 227d, 1985-86) and Borg (21y 26d, 1976-77).