Wimbledon 2025: Meet Oliver Tarvet – the British qualifier set to face Carlos Alcaraz
• 3 MINUTE READ
Britain’s Oliver Tarvet has been one of the standout names from The Championships, Wimbledon so far – with the world No.733 coming through qualifying to win on his Grand Slam main draw.
The 21-year-old now faces one of the toughest challenges in tennis right now – taking on two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to try and end his 15-match winning streak at SW19.
Ahead of their big second round clash – get to know the British qualifier set to take on the five-time champion on Wednesday.
- Date of birth: 29 October 2003
- Place of birth: St Albans, Hertfordshire
- Lives: San Diego
- Height: 6’1
- LTA Support: NCAA Support Programme
Rising through the junior ranks
Tarvet’s tennis journey began at the age of four, growing up in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Playing at his local club at Batchwood Tennis Centre with coach Ben Wood, he quickly discovered a love for and talent for the sport and his tennis journey ignited from there.
As a young junior talent, Tarvet competed at local, regional and national LTA competitions – including the Junior National Championships, where he finished runner-up in the doubles on two occasions (14U in 2018 and 18U in 2021).
By the end of 2021, Tarvet had made a name for himself on the national tennis scene with LTA British Tour titles in West Worthing, North Oxford and Taunton in the same season and also won his first and only international trophy at the J5 Nairobi.
Taking the next step in the NCAA
The following year, Tarvet decided to enrol at the University of San Diego to compete in the NCAA – the collegiate tennis competition for the best players in the USA – whilst studying for a degree in Communications.
The NCAA is a well-trodden path for British players in recent years – with many of its top stars going on to have strong professional careers.
In recent years, Cam Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Arthur Fery and former doubles world No.1 Neal Skupski have all come through the system having had success at the collegiate level.
Several British players like Tarvet are supported during their time in the States by the LTA NCAA Support Programme, giving them the best opportunity to develop their game ready for the pro tour.
In a recent interview with The independent, Tarvet spoke of his decision to join the University of San Diego: “I was a little bit immature when I was 18, I was not ready to be independent of for the loneliness of the tour. It’s a really good option to help you mature and develop your game.”
So, it has proven for Tarvet. In his Freshman year in 2022, he went 18-8 in singles, which then improved to 26-10 the following year, where he also won 23 of 25 doubles matches.
It was in 2024 that he had a significant breakthrough – becoming the first man since 2015 to win both singles and doubles at the ITA All-American Championships in September.
Playing in the NCAA has opened Tarvet up to experience those high pressure matches, competing in front of big crowds and working with world class coaching environments.
"They’re so knowledgeable, such great people," he said talking about the impact of his time at college so far. "I feel like I have improved not only as a tennis player but also as a person, they’ve taught me a lot of values that I didn’t value going into college."
Tarvet is still currently enrolled at the college and has ambitions to return for a final year in a few months’ time. He is currently supported by the coaching staff from San Diego, including Ryan Keckley, Alex Funkhouser, Carlos Brancho and Stuart Havelock.
Making a mark on the pro tour
During his time at college, Tarvet has also had the opportunity to compete internationally and get his first taste of the pro tour.
In 2023, he came through qualifying to win his first title at the M15 Monastir ITF World Tennis Tour event in Tunisia – beating Igor Kudriashov in the final 6-1, 6-1.
Since then, he has gone on to win five ITF singles titles in two years – three coming in Monastir and two in San Diego, all at $15k level.
So far this year he’s played two events – winning won and reaching the semi-final of the other.
His combined success at the professional level and for his college resulted in a wild card for Wimbledon qualifying, which he took with both hands.
Reaching Wimbledon main draw
Tarvet came into Wimbledon qualifying relatively inexperienced on the grass having not played a competitive match on the surface this year – however, the Briton was full of confidence after a strong year.
He got off to an impressive start – knocking out Nottingham quarter-finalist Terence Atmane 6-1, 7-6(2), before backing it up with a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Alexis Galarneau.
With a Wimbledon debut on the line, Tarvet won his first ever best of five set match against Alexander Blockx 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 to make the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time.
He became the first British man to come through qualifying since Alex Ward in 2017.
Fast forward to day one at SW19 and there were no signs of nerves from the 21-year-old. He put on an absolute serving clinic to beat former Surbiton runner-up Leandro Riedi in straight sets and set up a dream clash with Alcaraz.
"I've come here and not really set myself any expectations," he said. "I'm quietly confident I can win against anyone. Alcaraz isn't an exception to that.
"At the end of the day, for me, I try and play the ball, not the player."
Could he do the impossible and continue his run with a win over the reigning champion? We’ll find out on Wednesday.
