The American ignited his qualifying campaign with a straight-sets triumph over the former world No.9.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTMaverick Italian Fabio Fognini was meant to kick-start his goodbye to Roland-Garros in style but instead ran into an inspired Nicolas Moreno de Alboran on Monday.
The American was unaware it was Fognini’s swansong, fiercely focused on his own ambitions for a platform for success in Paris by posting a commanding 6-3, 6-2 scoreboard.
“I didn’t know that it was his last Roland-Garros, I don’t check the draws either,” admitted the world No.152. “But Fabio is a legend, he’s played at the highest level of our game, done so much.
“It was tough. He makes the court feel pretty big, he’s just so talented, gets a lot of balls back, so I had to be pretty accurate. I’m happy I was able to play and impose my game, happy I got the win. It’s so important for me to get the win and get going.”
The 27-year-old was dealt a major slice of bad luck at the turn of the year, tearing a calf muscle to keep him sidelined until Madrid in April. It was a hard knock to take for Moreno de Alboran, stating on Instagram that this absence from the tour “got dark dark at some point but we out here now in the light light!”
The doubts, the overwhelming feelings of injustice swirled for the American, who has already been through the mill. At the tailend of 2023 he had severe dengue fever, where he was nearly put into a medically-induced coma, as tennis was snatched away in an instant.
Since recovering from his calf injury, the American has been restricted to just six matches this season prior to heading to the French capital.
“It’s been very hard. I finished the [2024] season early after a long year of a lot of tournaments, having got up to 107,” recalled Moreno de Alboran.
“I tore it in pre-season and when you’re out for so long, having put so much effort into it, you kind of question everything. I was in a place where you ask yourself all sorts of questions, I don’t want to repeat them, but it’s really tough. You just sit there and ask yourself, ‘why does this happen to me?’
“Everyone goes through adversity. I’m not the first or last one. At some point it could happen again, whether it’s injuries or other stuff. The game is so challenging, everything that revolves around it is so tough. I started to question is this all worth it, do I want to keep doing it.
“At the end of the day, I want to keep doing what I love, that’s why I’m here.”
This time last year, Moreno de Alboran arrived in the main draw having secured the USTA’s Roland-Garros Wild Card Challenge. He pushed compatriot Brandon Nakashima to four sets, but left Paris with a desire to return.
“I just try and come out here and give the very best that I can, whether it’s qualies or main draw.
“Of course, I feel like I have unfinished business here, but that applies for here, there and everywhere.
“It’s all about fine margins. You’ve got to prepare the best you can, recover the best you can, take care of your body. It’s so ultra professional now, everyone is taking this so seriously.”
Slovakia’s Lukas Klein awaits in the second round with Moreno de Alboran eager to maintain his momentum following the statement victory over Fognini.
“That’s what we play for, to compete on the biggest stages at the biggest tournaments and you can’t get much bigger than this," enthused the American.
“Match by match, I can’t look too far ahead. Hopefully I can bring the same level of performance on Wednesday.”
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTThe Roland-Garros 2025 Opening Week is shaping up nicely! Tickets are still available to come and support the future stars and watch training sessions with the biggest names on the WTA and ATP tours.
Click HERE to buy your tickets on the official Roland-Garros 2025 ticketing website
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
