Fabio Fognini bans son from speaking to Carlos Alcaraz before Wimbledon clash

Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon title defence kicked off with a memorable matchup, both on the court and in the emotions of one young tennis fan in particular. Alcaraz, already a two-time Wimbledon champion at just 22, faced off against Italy’s Fabio Fognini in the first round on Centre Court. While all eyes were on the clash between the rising Spanish superstar and the veteran Italian, another story was quietly unfolding in the background.

Fognini, known for his fiery competitiveness and sharp wit, shared a light-hearted yet telling detail about the lead-up to the match. His eldest son, Federico, is a massive fan of Alcaraz, as well as fellow young star Jannik Sinner, and was thrilled when he learned his father would be playing against one of his tennis idols. So excited, in fact, that he immediately called Fognini to share the news and asked to come along for the match.

Fognini agreed to bring his family, including his wife, former tennis champion Flavia Pennetta, and their daughter. But there was one catch. He jokingly forbade Federico from speaking to Alcaraz before the match. “Don’t say hello to him,” Fognini recalled telling his son. “Because he’s my opponent tomorrow.” Unsurprisingly, the younger Fognini was not pleased. “He got angry,” the Italian said with a smile.

It’s a moment that speaks volumes about Alcaraz’s popularity and the generational shift happening in men’s tennis. Even the children of seasoned professionals like Fognini are starstruck by Alcaraz’s charisma and skill. And with good reason. Alcaraz has already achieved what many spend their entire careers chasing. He is unbeaten in any Grand Slam first-round match across 17 appearances, and after dethroning Novak Djokovic in back-to-back Wimbledon finals, Alcaraz is on the path to join the sport’s most elite company.

He’s aiming for a third straight Wimbledon title, which would place him among legends such as Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg. If he succeeds, he’ll become the second-youngest man in the Open Era to claim six Grand Slam titles, only behind Borg himself.

Alcaraz doesn’t appear fazed by the numbers or the pressure. “I’m coming here thinking I really want to win the title, I really want to lift the trophy,” he said before the tournament began. He’s focused on his preparation and trusting the confidence built from his epic French Open final win over world number one Jannik Sinner.

Meanwhile, Wimbledon has begun under a scorching London heatwave, with temperatures reaching 33°C. The heat has added another layer of challenge for both players and fans. Still, the atmosphere remains electric, as the tournament welcomes a deep field of talent and compelling storylines. On the women’s side, world number one Aryna Sabalenka is looking to shake off tough losses in recent Grand Slam finals, while British hopes like Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter take center stage.

As for Fognini, who hinted this could be his last Wimbledon, he remains reflective. “Honestly, I’m happy,” he said. “With everything I’ve done, playing against Carlitos here is worth it.” He knows better than most what it takes to climb tennis’s highest peaks, and he sees that same promise in Alcaraz and Sinner.

For Federico, though, the day will be remembered less for the result and more for the moment he was almost allowed to talk to his hero. Tennis, after all, is about more than just the scoreboard. It’s about passion, generations colliding, and the stories that unfold beyond the baseline.

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