The opening day of Wimbledon 2025 provided plenty of drama as Carlos Alcaraz survived a major scare against Fabio Fognini, while two-time finalist Ons Jabeur was forced to retire in tears.
Alcaraz Fights Through
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz began his quest for a third successive Wimbledon title with a grueling five-set victory over Italian veteran Fabio Fognini. After over four hours of intense play under sweltering conditions, Alcaraz triumphed 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. This match marked the first time since Roger Federer in 2010 that a defending champion faced a fifth set in the first round.
Despite an inconsistent performance filled with 62 unforced errors, Alcaraz showcased his resilience, securing a crucial break early in the final set. With this win, he remains undefeated in first-round Grand Slam matches, aiming to join an elite group of players with three consecutive Wimbledon titles.
Medvedev and Rune Ousted
In contrast, Daniil Medvedev faced an early exit after losing to Benjamin Bonzi in a four-set match that highlighted the intense heat conditions. Medvedev, the ninth seed, struggled to handle Bonzi’s “A-game” and expressed frustration after smashing his racket during the match.
Eighth seed Holger Rune also faltered, blowing a two-set lead against Nicolas Jarry, who staged a remarkable comeback to win 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.
Jabeur’s Heartbreaking Exit
On the women’s side, Ons Jabeur’s campaign was cut short due to health issues. The former world No. 2 retired while trailing 7-6 (7/5), 2-0 against Viktoriya Tomova. Jabeur, who had been visibly uncomfortable and emotional, took a medical timeout but ultimately could not continue. “I’m pretty sad. It doesn’t really help me with my confidence,” she stated after the match.
Sabalenka and British Players Shine
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the second round with a straightforward victory over Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine, winning 6-1, 7-5. Meanwhile, a wave of British success saw seven home players advance to the next round, the most for a single day since the professional era began. Notable wins included Emma Raducanu, who defeated Welsh wildcard Mimi Xu, and Sonay Kartal, who upset former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.
Additional Highlights
American Madison Keys overcame a tough match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, while Jasmine Paolini came from a set down to secure her place in the second round. Naomi Osaka also advanced, defeating Talia Gibson in a hard-fought encounter.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the remaining matches, with fans eager to see how the favorites handle the pressure and the intense conditions at Wimbledon.