In 31.4C heat at the All England Club, Alcaraz struggled against a very comfortable opponent who was playing the final Wimbledon of his colourful career.
In a chaotic battle, Alcaraz went through all the emotions: satisfaction, frustration, lack of confidence, confusion, then found his faith again with his typical bravery and won 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 2-6, 6-1.
“I don’t know why this is his last Wimbledon because with the level he’s showing, he can still play for another three or four years,” Alcaraz said after surviving the four-hour, 37-minute five-set match.
“I have to give him credit – for putting on such a great match. Fabio is a fantastic player, he has been at the top of his game all his life. I’m just a little sad that it’s his last Wimbledon, but I’m happy to have shared the court with him.”
Despite winning 14 out of 15 five-set matches, when you experience the fifth set in the first round, it is clear that something is not right. But on the other hand, having gotten used to difficult matches very early, Alcaraz quickly raised the rhythm of the game and was ready for other challenges ahead.
Alcaraz is now trying to become the fifth player in history, counting only the Open Era (from 1968 to the present, when tennis officially became professional), to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles. He is also keen to become the second person, after Bjorn Borg, to win the Roland Garros and Wimbledon double in consecutive years.
“Playing your first match on Centre Court is never easy. I have played quite well on grass, but Wimbledon is special. I can feel the difference between Wimbledon and other tournaments.”
“I just try to play my best, but I still think I can play better. I have to keep improving,” Alcaraz said after winning 18 consecutive matches in the first round of the Grand Slam.
His opponent in the second round will be Oliver Tavet (the host country's world No. 624 player, who has qualified and just beat Leandro Riedi 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round). Alcaraz commented: "If he gets a ticket to the second round, he deserves it."
“He is a great player. I will have to be very focused. I will try to do the things I did not do today, serve, return. That is very important on grass.”
*In the women's singles, although she did not need 3 sets, Naomi Osaka (Japan, ranked 53rd in WTA, 4-time Grand Slam champion), still had a lot of difficulty overcoming the player who won the ticket since the qualifying round, Talia Gibson (Australia, ranked 126th in WTA) with a score of 6-4, 7-5 (7-4).
“Just playing my game today, playing against someone I’ve never played against before and getting through the opening round with a little bit of difficulty, I’m happy to have done it – and hopefully I’ll get to experience more matches,” Osaka said.
According to D.HG./Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper
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