Wimbledon's main showcourt aura leaves Alcaraz a nervous wreck in opener
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 30, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Italy's Fabio Fognini after their first round match REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 30, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning his first round match against Italy's Fabio Fognini REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - June 30, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning his first round match against Italy's Fabio Fognini REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
LONDON - Carlos Alcaraz arrived at Wimbledon on the back of 18 straight match victories but the defending champion said after avoiding the opening-round trapdoor on Monday that playing on Centre Court again left him feeling like a nervous rookie.
The Spaniard, who should have been brimming with confidence after capturing titles in Rome, the French Open and Queen's Club Championships in the lead-up to the grasscourt Grand Slam, edged Fabio Fognini 7-5 6-7(5) 7-5 2-6 6-1 in 4-1/2 hours.
Alcaraz had demolished 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and collected his second Wimbledon crown on his last trip to Centre Court but he looked out of sorts against an inspired Fognini.
"It felt like it was the first time," five-times Grand Slam champion Alcaraz told reporters.
"Wimbledon is different. It doesn't matter, the winning streak I have right now, that I've been playing great on grass, that I have been preparing really well the week before.
"I could feel today I was really nervous in the beginning. Being the first match on Centre Court, it's a huge privilege for me even though I played last year the first match.
"I try to deal with the nerves the best way possible. I was struggling a little bit ... But it was great. It's a big honour to start the tournament there in Centre Court."
Alcaraz next meets Oliver Tarvet in what should be a much more straightforward test considering the British qualifier is ranked in the 700s, but after a jolt to his system on a blazing day, the 22-year-old is not taking anyone lightly.
"If he's here, he's in the second round, it's because he deserves it. He's playing a great tennis," Alcaraz added.
"I don't have to think like I'm going to win easily. I have to have respect for him. Playing or trying to play my best, step on the court thinking that if I don't play my best, I can lose.
"I've seen him play, and he has a good level. Even though he's not playing professionally or he has played just his first tour level match, it doesn't matter.
"I have to think that it's going to be a really tough match. It's going to be a difficult one I have to be ready for, and I'm trying to play my best without thinking about the ranking and anything else." REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Bublik falls to Munar in Wimbledon opener
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 1, 2025 Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in action during his first round match against Spain's Jaume Munar REUTERS/Isabel Infantes LONDON - Wimbledon dark horse Alexander Bublik's bubble was burst in the opening round of the Grand Slam when the Kazakh was dragged into a battle by Spaniard Jaume Munar and beaten 6-4 3-6 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 on a piercingly hot Tuesday. Bublik, fresh from capturing his second Halle title last month, cut a frustrated figure towards the end of a lacklustre opening set against Munar on Court 14 where he surrendered his serve two times and barely dipped into his bag of tricks. Having swapped his headband for a cap to shield himself from the heat, Bublik appeared a player transformed in the next set as he quickly found his range and erased the deficit after forcing Munar into a backhand error on set point. The big crowds braving conditions on the outside court to catch the Kazakh trickster had to settle for a more workmanlike display early in the third set as Bublik fought back from 1-3 down before offering glimpses of his drop-shot brilliance. With his tail up after securing the third set, 28th seed Bublik raced ahead in the fourth and was serving for the match at 5-4 before Munar clawed back to make it two sets apiece via the tiebreak. Munar capitalised from there as the world number 55 took control of the match with an early break in the decider and sent his opponent tumbling out with minimum fuss. REUTERS
CNA
40 minutes ago
- CNA
Bublik falls to Munar in Wimbledon opener
LONDON :Wimbledon dark horse Alexander Bublik's bubble was burst in the opening round of the Grand Slam when the Kazakh was dragged into a battle by Spaniard Jaume Munar and beaten 6-4 3-6 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 on a piercingly hot Tuesday. Bublik, fresh from capturing his second Halle title last month, cut a frustrated figure towards the end of a lacklustre opening set against Munar on Court 14 where he surrendered his serve two times and barely dipped into his bag of tricks. Having swapped his headband for a cap to shield himself from the heat, Bublik appeared a player transformed in the next set as he quickly found his range and erased the deficit after forcing Munar into a backhand error on set point. The big crowds braving conditions on the outside court to catch the Kazakh trickster had to settle for a more workmanlike display early in the third set as Bublik fought back from 1-3 down before offering glimpses of his drop-shot brilliance. With his tail up after securing the third set, 28th seed Bublik raced ahead in the fourth and was serving for the match at 5-4 before Munar clawed back to make it two sets apiece via the tiebreak. Munar capitalised from there as the world number 55 took control of the match with an early break in the decider and sent his opponent tumbling out with minimum fuss.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Arsenal sign Spanish keeper Kepa from Chelsea
Arsenal have signed Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, the Premier League side said on Tuesday, with media reporting that the club triggered a five million pounds ($6.86 million) release clause to buy the world's most expensive goalkeeper. Kepa, 30, joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for 71 million pounds, but after winning the Europa League in 2019, the Champions League two years later, and the Club World Cup in 2022, the keeper has spent the last two seasons on loan. Last season, Kepa was Bournemouth's regular goalkeeper in the Premier League and in the previous campaign he made 20 appearances for Real Madrid, helping the Spanish club win LaLiga and the Champions League. Before joining Bournemouth last August, Kepa extended his Chelsea contract until 2026, and has signed a three-year deal with Arsenal, British media reports said, where he will wear the number 13 shirt and provide backup for David Raya. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
