Carlos Alcaraz reveals what he told Fabio Fognini at the net after beating him in the first round at Wimbledon

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Carlos Alcaraz avoided a shock first-round exit on day one of Wimbledon by defeating Fabio Fognini in five sets on Centre Court.

Alcaraz is going for a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles in succession this year, but he very nearly succumbed at the first hurdle.

Fognini is retiring after this year, and in his final Wimbledon appearance, he showcased why he’s been a professional player since 2004 with a performance to be proud of.

The 38-year-old has never been beyond round three at Wimbledon, and he wasn’t able to send shockwaves across the world of tennis and stun the reigning champion.

• READ MORE: Fabio Fognini shares what happened in the locker room following heartbreaking Wimbledon exit

What Carlos Alcaraz said to Fabio Fognini at the net after beating him at Wimbledon

Alcaraz really is a classy performer on and off the court, with the concept of what he might achieve in professional tennis a pretty scary thought.

There was a beautiful moment that has so often become commonplace in tennis at the end of the match when the two competitors enjoyed a warm embrace at the net.

Alcaraz shared in his press conference exactly what he said to him when they met at the net for the formalities of the handshake.

He said: “I just told him I have big respect for him. He is just the best. And I have a big respect for him. Everything he has done in his career, what he has done today. I love watching him play and I am just glad to have shared the court once again with him. That I have shared the locker room and the tournament with him. So big respect to him.”

Alcaraz can really kick on after Fognini win

The first round of Wimbledon is always tough for any player, and Alcaraz found that out today, becoming the first defending champion to be taken to five sets in round one since Roger Federer in 2010.

But, the main thing is that he’s now progressed to round two and can settle into the tournament and work on his imperfections from today’s contest.

Alcaraz will know that he will have to play better than he did against Fognini if he’s to claim another title this year, but it’s hard to imagine him being that bad again.

Fognini will look back on his final Wimbledon with fond memories, not of a win, but of taking the best player in the world on current form all the way to a fifth-set decider.