By Tony Fairbairn, Britwatch Sports at Wimbledon
- Jacob Fearnley spoke about the need to improve his serve after straight sets defeat to Joao Fonseca in the opening round.
- Henry Searle and Hannah Klugman gave their reactions after positive experiences in the opening round of Wimbledon.
LONDON, ENGLAND – Jacob Fearnley admitted nerves got the best of him as he lost to Joao Fonseca in the opening round of Wimbledon.
 |
|---|
It was a disappointing performance from Jacob Fearnley as the British number two couldn’t match his level from the rest of the season.
A straight sets loss to Joao Fonseca on No.1 Court saw Fearnley completely outplayed in a match that saw the Brit lack any real intensity or energy.
In the first two sets, Fearnley was completely outplayed by Fonseca as the Brazilian managed to produce some sensational winners consistently.
The third set saw Fearnley produce a much more consistent level on serve as he reduced the amount of double faults, forcing a tiebreak.
Despite having a 5-2 lead, Fearnley struggled to raise his level when it mattered most and Fonseca took full advantage to win five points in a row and claim victory.
After the match Fearnley praised Fonseca’s level and admitted there wasn’t much he could do about the Brazilian’s fearless hitting.
“I kind of knew what to expect coming in. It was really just about executing the game plan that I had. Yeah, today I didn’t do that, like that the other two times,” Fearnley said when comparing this match to his previous meetings against Fonseca.
“I came close in Indian Wells. This time and earlier in the year, I mean, I had chances to win the third set. I mean, I don’t really think I was in the match. I think the way he plays, he backs himself. That’s something I probably need to do a little bit better is just be confident in the way I want to play. It’s pretty clear that Joao, yeah, is very good at that.”
A theme throughout this grass court season is Fearnley’s lack of consistency on the serve with the Brit throwing in multiple double faults.
At Queen’s Club, Fearnley had an injury problem but today the Brit admitted he just had a bad serving day.
“Just had a bad serving day I think. Yeah, I just got off to a bad start on my serve in the match. I was pretty nervous. Yeah, it just carried on,” Fearnley observed.
“But yeah, to be honest, I mean, I think I served nine or ten double-faults. To be honest, for me that’s actually pretty average. If you look back at all my other matches, I hit a lot of double-faults.
“I don’t really think that cost me the match. Maybe could have managed myself a little bit better, played a little bit more aggressive, and used my serve a little bit smarter. Maybe gone into his backhand a little bit more. Was serving to his forehand, which I think just in the heat of the moment was a bit stupid.
“Yeah, definitely something to improve on.”
Although Fearnley has been involved in some big occasions before, the Brit admitted that he was nervous ahead of this match.
It was those nerves that cost him as the British number two has a lot of thinking to do ahead of the US hard court season.
“I think so. Yeah, I mean, all that stuff is pretty nerve-wracking for me. I didn’t really know what to expect going on,” Fearnley stated.
“I mean, I had a good time, maybe didn’t need to put so much pressure on myself before the match. Definitely think that could have played against me a little bit, the pressure I put on myself, the nerves that I had.
“Going forward, I think I could definitely deal with them a little bit better, maybe get off to a little bit better start, more confident start, I would say.”
 |
|---|
Searle and Klugman reflect on positive experiences
It was disappointment for two of Britain’s brightest young talents in the form of Henry Searle and Hannah Klugman.
Starting with Searle, the former Junior’s champion fought valiantly but ultimately came up short against Ethan Quinn in four sets.
The Brit admitted it’s a tough loss to take but ultimately put it down as a positive experience for the future.
“I thought I started well, and he obviously fought back in the second set. Then it was very 50/50 in the third set. He played some really good stuff in the last set,” Searle admitted in his press conference.
“I think we’re getting there. It was very nip-and-tuck today, I thought. Yeah, I thought if I could get away with the third set, then the match would have flipped a little bit, but that wasn’t meant to be today.
“It’s a good experience overall. I think, yeah, another four-set match under my belt. We’re not obviously playing five sets every week, and especially not me if I’m not at Grand Slam level yet.”
This is Searle’s second experience of main draw Grand Slam action having played at Wimbledon last year.
Reflecting on his journey from juniors to the main draw, Searle spoke about how tough the transition has been.
“Yeah, it’s been good. It’s been tough,” Searle said.
“Obviously the mental and the physical side is a lot more than juniors, and it’s a lot more demanding than the juniors. So, yeah, it’s adapting to that, but we’re getting there slowly.”
From someone who was a junior to someone who still is a junior in the form of Klugman who had her first main draw experience at Wimbledon.
The 16 year-old was outplayed by former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in a straight sets defeat.
Despite the loss Klugman took a lot away from the experience and explained the difference between the junior level and the main tour.
“Yeah, obviously my first match, main draw match and against such a tough opponent. Yeah, it was an amazing occasion. I loved the atmosphere and, you know, also having my friends and family. I saw my family in my corner. It’s amazing,” Klugman started her press conference by saying.
“Also it kind of puts you back in your place a little bit, but also it pushes me to do better, yeah. There’s a lot to get better, and kind of she would expose the things I need to get better at. Yeah, it’s good for me.
“You’ve got to go for it all the time, take those opportunities. It’s just a different mentality, juniors to seniors. The shots you know I’d hit, which don’t have a lot of purpose on it, and in juniors you extend the point. With her, she hits so well. I’m, like, Oh, my God, or I have a short ball, and I don’t to put away. Yeah, it’s different pressures as well.”
Klugman and Searle have been given doubles wildcards and will team up with Mika Stojsavljevic and Dan Evans respectively.
How to Watch/Follow Wimbledon 2025
| TV | Across BBC iPlayer & Red Button |
| Live Stream | BBC Sport |
| Live Scores | Tennis Scores Powered By TNNSLIVE |
| Follow Britwatch - Sport in General, Brits in Particular! | |
|---|---|
| Soundcloud | |
| YouTube | |
| We may receive compensation for products purchased via affiliate links on this website | |