Oliver Tarvet's Wimbledon Run: College Rules Restrict Rising Star's £99,000 Prize Money After Alcaraz Defeat

Great Britain's Oliver Tarvet, the world number 733, experienced a memorable second-round defeat against World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon 2025. Despite losing 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, Tarvet described the match as "the most special day of my life," despite his unique situation as a US college student.

Playing in only his second Grand Slam main draw match, the 21-year-old challenged Alcaraz on Centre Court, as Alcaraz continues his quest for a third consecutive Wimbledon title.

"It's not every day that you get to play against maybe the best player in the world. I did a pretty good job of kind of enjoying the moment and trying to also play some good tennis at the same time," Tarvet commented. He acknowledged the pre-match jitters, saying, "I woke up a couple times in the night from the adrenaline... Obviously there were nerves...I kind of knew that the first set might be difficult because it's not a stage that I'm used to... I definitely had chances."

Oliver Tarvet celebrates a point against Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

Tarvet's resilience was evident when he secured an early break in the second set, celebrating with a playful gesture that delighted the crowd. However, Alcaraz quickly retaliated, highlighting the difference in their experience.

Tarvet acknowledged Alcaraz's exceptional performance under pressure: "Credit to him, he plays the big points just incredibly well. That's the difference... it was definitely the most special day of my life."

The Prize Money Paradox

So, how much prize money did Tarvet actually earn at Wimbledon?

For reaching the second round, Tarvet earned £99,000 (Rs 1.15 crore). However, due to NCAA amateur rules, as a student at the University of San Diego, he can't accept much of it without jeopardizing his eligibility. He humorously mentioned traveling home on a private jet, knowing the reality is far different.

Tarvet reaffirmed his commitment to college: "I still want to go back to the University of San Diego... College has been such a big part of my career, part of my life. There's definitely some things that I want to achieve before I go full-time."

Reflecting on his overall Wimbledon experience, Tarvet emphasized the importance of mental fortitude: "Most about myself is just how powerful the mind is... I just realised there's a lot of power in kind of having that confidence in yourself."

Alcaraz, currently enjoying a 20-match winning streak, lauded Tarvet's dedication: "I told him just congratulations for the run, keep it going, keep working hard... He played with such a good passion out there, that is really important. If he keeps practicing hard and playing in a professional level, I think he can go far."