We select five matches you won’t want to miss in the first round of the gentlemen’ singles at The Championships 2025.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Fabio Fognini
What sort of charisma do you want in a tennis player? If it’s smiley, sunny, almost cartoonishly cheerful charisma you’re after – even grinning between points and at what should be moments of high stress – tune in when Carlos Alcaraz opens Centre Court on Monday afternoon.
Or perhaps you prefer the more explosive kind, with some edge and just a hint of danger? Monday’s order of play also caters for you: Alcaraz plays Fabio Fognini.
No one keeps any statistics for this type of thing, but is Alcaraz against Fognini the most charismatic first round match ever played at the All England Club? Perhaps. But, as they both know, charisma only gets you so far in tennis.
Alcaraz makes his entrance on an 18-match winning streak - the longest of his career - after gathering titles in Rome, at Roland-Garros and at the Queen’s Club. He hasn’t lost a match since April.
That’s not the only streak that the Spaniard will be riding on Centre Court; he has won his last 14 matches at the All England Club. If he can take that number to 21 he will join the exclusive club of men to have won Wimbledon three years in a row.
Jack Draper vs Sebastian Baez
In the absence of Sir Andy Murray – a past champion and a future statue – it’s Jack Draper who will be looking out into the Wimbledon arc-lights.
Murray used to find the grass court swing experience so unsettling that he would get mouth ulcers. How will Draper, in this first summer since Murray’s retirement, cope with the extra scrutiny and attention of being talked about as a contender for the title?
His opening match against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez could give us an indication of how Draper will handle it all.
Joao Fonseca vs Jacob Fearnley
Caipirinhas will never replace Pimm’s as the drink of choice on Henman Hill. But some Brazilian energy could be about to shake up the English summer garden party.
Joao Fonseca, a teenage Brazilian with a powerful game, will make his main draw debut on the Wimbledon
grass and it’s unlikely to be a quiet occasion as he plays Jacob Fearnley, the highest-ranked Briton after Draper, in the opening round.
Taylor Fritz vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
In summers past, Taylor Fritz against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard would have been a safety issue for the line judges, who would have been crouching, ducking and twisting their bodies – doing whatever they could – to dodge any high-speed Slazengers flying in their direction.
For their physical safety, it’s no bad thing those officials won’t be on the grass for this match between two big servers.
Gone are the times when a line judge wincing in pain after a direct hit would give
you a strong indication of the power behind a serve. Now just look at the speed gun,
and the number of aces, to add to your appreciation of the force that the American
and the Frenchman are bringing to the game.
Gael Monfils vs Ugo Humbert
Watching Gael Monfils play tennis is always a good use of your time. He can’t help but be entertaining.
The 38-year-old Frenchman – who, like Alcaraz and Fognini, is among the most charismatic
athletes in the sport – plays countryman Ugo Humbert.