The opening day of Wimbledon 2025 delivered a mix of expected triumphs and stunning upsets, with Daniil Medvedev's early exit and Carlos Alcaraz's hard-fought victory grabbing headlines.
Ninth-seeded Daniil Medvedev suffered a shocking first-round defeat at the hands of France's Benjamin Bonzi. Bonzi, ranked World No. 64, showcased calmness and precision to overcome Medvedev in four sets, 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. This marks Medvedev's second consecutive first-round exit at a Grand Slam, following a similar result at Roland Garros. The loss is particularly surprising, considering Medvedev's previous Wimbledon performance, where he reached the semi-finals in 2023.
Despite his recent struggles in Grand Slam tournaments, Medvedev remained confident, pointing to his final appearance at Halle as a positive sign. However, Bonzi, who had not won a single match on grass in the last three years, proved too strong for the Russian. Medvedev's frustration was evident as he smashed his racket during the third set. Bonzi's victory marks his first top-10 win at a Grand Slam and his second win against Medvedev in their head-to-head series. He will now face Jordan Thompson in the second round.
In contrast to Medvedev's early departure, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz survived a grueling five-set battle against veteran Fabio Fognini. The match, filled with momentum swings and dramatic moments, tested Alcaraz's endurance and focus. The Spaniard ultimately prevailed with a 7-5, 6-7, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 victory after four and a half hours on Centre Court.
Alcaraz, aiming for his third consecutive Wimbledon title, faced a determined Fognini, who displayed his veteran flair and pushed the young champion to his limits. The Italian's aggressive baseline hitting and serve-and-volley game kept Alcaraz on his toes throughout the match. Alcaraz, fresh off his Roland Garros triumph, committed 62 unforced errors and faced 21 break points, indicating a less than fluent performance.
The match was briefly paused in the fifth set due to a spectator collapsing in the stands. Alcaraz reportedly offered water to the person before play resumed. Despite not feeling at his best, Alcaraz demonstrated his champion mentality by finding a way to win. He saved all five break points he faced in the first set and broke Fognini's serve at a crucial moment. Alcaraz holds a strong record in fifth sets and sealed his 19th straight win in style.
Other notable events on Day 1 included Aryna Sabalenka's confident start in the women's draw, as she brushed aside Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine. Stefanos Tsitsipas retired hurt during his first-round match against French qualifier Valentin Royer, citing a back issue. Emma Raducanu began her Wimbledon campaign on Court 1.
