Carlos Alcaraz Battles Nerves, Five-Set Challenge in Wimbledon Opener OR Wimbledon: Alcaraz Overcomes Nervous Start to Defeat Fognini in Five Sets OR Alcaraz Admits to Feeling Pressure After Close Call in Wimbledon First Round

Carlos Alcaraz admitted to feeling nervous during his first-round match against Fabio Fognini on Monday, 30 June. The opening match, played on the prestigious Centre Court, saw the two-time Wimbledon champion pushed to a fifth set before the Spaniard found his rhythm and secured the win.

Having won the coveted All England Club title in the last two editions, many had expected Alcaraz to ease past the 38-year-old Italian. However, Fognini put up a strong fight and pushed the champion hard, though he ultimately came up short.

Alcaraz revealed that, despite being an experienced player, he still felt nervous, almost as if he was stepping onto the court for the first time. He clarified that it wasn’t due to a lack of preparation, but rather the weight of the occasion.

"It felt like it was the first time. 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 well the week before," Alcaraz told reporters after the match.

"I could feel today that I was nervous in the beginning. Being the first match on Centre Court, it's a huge privilege for me, even though I played the first match. I try to deal with the nerves in the best way possible. I was struggling a little bit ... But it was great. It's a big honour to start the tournament there on Centre Court,” he added.

ALCARAZ IS NOT TAKING ANYONE LIGHTLY

While some might have expected a dominant showing against Fognini, Alcaraz could well shift into a higher gear in the second round, where he is set to face British qualifier Oliver Tarvet. Given Tarvet’s ranking in the 700s, the defending champion is widely tipped to win comfortably.

But Alcaraz isn’t buying into that narrative. He insists on treating every opponent with respect, regardless of their ranking, and plans to bring his best tennis each time he steps on court.

"If he's here, he's in the second round; it's because he deserves it. He's playing great tennis. 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,” he said.

"I've seen him play, and he has a good level. Even though he's not playing professionally or has just played 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," he added.

Tarvet had earlier pulled off a surprise win over 28th seed Alexander Blockx of Belgium, delivering a solid performance. But Alcaraz will be keen to raise his level and build momentum as he looks to go deeper into the tournament.