• Carlos Alcaraz survived a challenging first-round match against Fabio Fognini at Wimbledon.
• Alcaraz won 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 after four and a half hours of play.
• 38-year-old Fognini announced this would be his final Wimbledon appearance.
• Alcaraz will next face British qualifier Oliver Tarvet, who is making his main draw debut.
• Several high-profile players, including Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune, suffered early exits.

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz narrowly overcame a significant hurdle in his quest for a third consecutive Wimbledon title, defeating veteran Fabio Fognini 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in a grueling four-and-a-half-hour match. Alcaraz, who entered with an 18-match winning streak, described feeling as nervous as a rookie on Centre Court, despite his previous successes, including a victory at the recent French Open.

In a match that saw temperatures soar to 32 degrees Celsius, Alcaraz displayed resilience, particularly in the deciding fifth set after losing the fourth. He faced multiple break points throughout the match but managed to regain his composure when it mattered most, ultimately sealing his win with a strong performance in the last set. Fognini, aged 38 and also confronting the heat, fought valiantly and expressed disappointment in announcing this as his final Wimbledon.

Alcaraz's second-round opponent will be Oliver Tarvet, a British qualifier ranked in the 700s who made a successful debut by defeating Leandro Riedi. Alcaraz remains cautious, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of tennis and the need to respect his next opponent. Despite suffering some wobbles during his match against Fognini, he showed gratitude for the experience of playing alongside such a seasoned competitor.

While Alcaraz's victory was a highlight, early upsets marked the tournament, with notable players such as Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune exiting in the first round. Medvedev was defeated by Benjamin Bonzi, who displayed impressive form on the court. This edition of Wimbledon is characterized by extreme conditions that have proven challenging for many players, reflected in multiple early exits from the tournament.