Oliver Tarvet to face Alcaraz as Wimbledon underdog

Oliver Tarvet, 21, from St. Albans, has shocked British tennis fans with his debut at Wimbledon. He won 6-4 6-4 6-4 against Swiss player Leandro Ridi on June 30, beating him by a resounding score of 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Tarvet’s journey, despite being ranked 733rd, to the All England Club main draw, while playing college tennis in America, is one of pure dedication, sacrifice and an unconventional route.

Tarvet is a student of the University of San Diego. He won his place at Wimbledon through a wildcard. In Roehampton he had to endure arduous qualification, beating players of higher ranking, such as Terence Atmane of France (126th), and Alexander Blockx of Belgium. Tarvet’s first-round victory on Court 4 marked him as the seventh British player to advance. This was a new national record. Tarvet stated that playing at Wimbledon was a “dream come true”. “I’m going to make my mark.”

Tarvet can’t keep the prize money and continue to college

His debut has already netted him £99,000 in prize money, a sum that dwarfs the $15,047 he’s earned so far in his career. Tarvet is only allowed to keep $10,000 of profit per year as an amateur, according to the rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. “Tennis can be expensive,” he said, suggesting creative ways to use the money. For example, he suggested paying coaches’ tips or considering a joke about taking a business-class trip. “I’ve got to find £60,000, £70,000 of expenses to stay under the limit.”

Tarvet is unfazed by the financial constraints. Tarvet has benefited from sponsorships from TK Maxx, Clearpay, and other companies under NCAA Name, Image, Likeness (NIL), which allows student-athletes the opportunity to benefit from personal brand deals. 

Although he thinks the NCAA’s rules on prize money could be improved, he states, “I worked hard to earn this money.” Tarvet is committed to finishing USD’s degree before turning pro.

Tarvet’s journey to Wimbledon was anything but conventional. In his junior years, Tarvet played only 17 tournaments. He won one title in Nairobi while reaching the 189th position. He chose to play college tennis in the US over a professional career and excelled at USD. He won the All American Championships for singles and doubles, and was named West Coast Conference Player Of The Year. The British Tennis Association noticed his success on the ITF Tour with five titles. They gave him a wildcard to start his Wimbledon run.

Tarvet faces Alcaraz at Wimbledon’s next round

Tarvet will now face a titanic challenge against world No. Carlos Alcaraz may be on one or more of Wimbledon’s showcase courts. He said: “I am not intimidated. I’m quiet confident that I can beat anyone.” I try to play against the ball, and not the opponent.

Tarvet, with his fearless approach and grounded demeanour, is proving to the world that even an underdog on tennis’s biggest stage can beat giants. In the weeks leading up to his first match with Alcaraz, British hopeful Tarvet is already creating a tale worth celebrating.