How Carlos Alcaraz broke a historic Rod Laver grass-court record at Wimbledon
Carlos Alcaraz set an outstanding grass-court record with his five-set first round victory over Fabio Fognini at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.
The two-time reigning Wimbledon champion was given a far tougher test than anticipated in his opening assignment as he won 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 after four hours and 27 minutes.
Fognini, a former world No 9 currently ranked 138th, rolled back the years in what was his final Wimbledon appearance. The 38-year-old Italian has revealed he will retire this season.
Alcaraz was far from at his best for much of the match, but he raised his level in the deciding set to avoid a seismic upset.
The Spanish superstar has now won 19 consecutive matches, with this run including titles in Rome, at the French Open and at the Queen’s Club Championships.
It was also Alcaraz’s 13th victory in a row on grass courts and improved his career record on the surface to an incredible 30-3 (90.9%).
The 22-year-old has reached 30 ATP grass-court wins in fewer matches than any other man in the Open Era.
Australian icons Rod Laver and Tony Roche previously held the record, having earned 30 wins in their first 34 matches on grass. John McEnroe and Boris Becker both reached 30 grass wins in 35 matches
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Alcaraz has become only the fourth male player to win their first 18 opening round matches at Grand Slams after Arthur Ashe, Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal.
The five-time Grand Slam champion was open about the nerves he felt during his match with Fognini.
“Well, it feels like it was the first time,” said the world No 2.
“As I said on court, Wimbledon is different. It doesn’t matter that the winning streak that I have right now, that I’ve been playing great on grass, that I been preparing really well the week before. Wimbledon is different.
“I could feel today that I was really nervous at the beginning. Being the first match on Centre Court, it’s a huge privilege for me, even though that I played last year the first match.
“Yeah, it feels the first time. I just try to deal with the nerves the best way possible. And yeah, the first match struggling a little bit with the nerves. But I think it was great. As I say, it is a big honour to start the tournament there in Centre Court.”
Alcaraz will face 733rd-ranked British qualifier Oliver Tarvet in the second round in SW19.
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