The week prior to the start of Wimbledon always leaves unique images on the tracks of the All England Club. One of them, this time, was starring Fabio Fognini and Carlos Alcaraz, who crossed informally during a training. The Italian, who refined his serve on one of the exterior clues, saw how Alcaraz leaned smiling in a fence.
At that time, Juan Carlos Ferrero, coach of the Murcian, encouraged Fognini to “give him there,” and he responded with a perfect rest to the line. “I am going to play in the game,” Fabio joked, causing laughter around him, including Carlitos himself.
But beyond the good atmosphere, the confrontation has a clear emotional contrast: Alcaraz seeks his third consecutive Wimbledon and Fognini says goodbye to the professional competition. The draw has wanted both paths in a first round that can have much more symbolic than merely competitive.
Fognini, an atypical talent that goes
At 38, Fabio Fognini faces what will probably be his last Wimbledon. The Italian has been one of the most charismatic players in the circuit, both for his innate talent and for his temperament, sometimes uncontrollable.
He became number 9 in the world and has left memorable moments in his record, including resonant victories about great names like Rafael Nadal, whom he won four times.
Fognini was also the protagonist of some controversies. One of the most remembered occurred in Wimbledon 2019, when during a match against Tennys Sandgren, exasperated by his bad game, he exclaimed: “I hope a bomb exploded in this club”, a statement that cost him a fine of 25,000 euros.
That phrase, in a place with a story marked by World War II – when 16 bombs fell around the All England Club -, it was especially unfortunate.
Alcaraz, for history in its favorite field
Carlos Alcaraz arrives at this edition as a two -champion Wimbledon and great favorite to repeat crown. After being crowned in Queen’s without giving a set, the Murcia is in full form and has proven to have adapted with mastery to the grass.
From his first appearances on this surface he has evolved towards a complete player, who mixes power, aggressiveness, and a control of the times that few at their age have shown in grass.
The Murcian has won the two precedents against Fognini – both in Rio de Janeiro – but Wimbledon is another scenario, loaded with symbolism and emotions, especially for whom he says goodbye.
A special match for Fognini and his family
The Italian faces this meeting as a small tribute to his career, aware that victory options are limited. But the opportunity to play on the central track against number 2 in the world is an award in itself.
In recent statements, he acknowledged that his family is in London and that he even joked with his children: “Do not greet him, look at him badly that my opponent tomorrow is.”
Fognini also pointed out that Carlitos is someone with whom he has a good relationship outside the track and that this game, although competitive, will also be an emotional moment. His wife, the exhaust of Flavia Pennetta, and her children will be in the stands to witness a meeting that will mark the end of a stage.