Tarvet's tenacity hailed by Alcaraz after Wimbledon Centre Court clash

South Wales Argus

2 days ago

The Spanish second seed breezed past the British qualifier from St Albans but that told far from the whole story after Tarvet's whirlwind couple of days.
After navigating his way through qualifying, the world No.733 toppled Leandro Riedi in straight sets to tee up a tantalising date with Alcaraz on Centre Court.
He suffered a battling 6-1 6-4 6-4 defeat but two-time defending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, 22, is backing the US-based 21-year-old to use his experience as a springboard for big things.
'I told him congratulations for the run, just keep it going, keep working hard,' he said.
'It seems like he's a really nice guy and hard worker. It seems like he loves tennis.
SUPERB from Ollie Tarvet 👏
Going toe to toe with the very best on Centre Court
🎥 @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/OaKylvAVmr — LTA (@the_LTA) July 3, 2025
'He played with such a good passion out there that is really important.
'How far he can go, I don't know. If he chooses to stay in college, the level that we can see in college is pretty high.
'If he keeps working hard, if he keeps practicing hard and playing in professional level, I think he can go far.'
The five-time Grand Slam champion, who combatted a partisan Centre Court crowd to overcome the home favourite, added: 'It's different. So far I'm just grateful for the support I'm receiving in Wimbledon.
'I've never played against a British player. Today was the first one, so it's just different.
'It was a great atmosphere, as always. I just have to say thank you for the crowd that they was really respectful for me, for the opponent, for the matches.
'It was a different experience that I'm glad to have experienced something like that, as well.'
Tarvet battled admirably but was unable to spring what would have been one of the biggest shocks in All England Club history.
The US college student had become the first British man in eight years to qualify for Wimbledon and kicked off his SW19 campaign with a stunning 6-4 6-4 6-4 triumph against Swiss player Riedi on Monday.
That teed up a dream clash with Alcaraz on the hallowed Centre Court turf 48 hours later but the world No.2, ranked 731 places above him, simply proved too hot to handle.
Alcaraz, who beat 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the previous two finals here, waltzed to victory in just over two hours to set up a third round clash with either German Jan-Lennard Struff or Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime.
Tarvet, who was roared on by friends and family in south-west London, said: 'I just learned just how difficult mentally it is.
"I've played against some really good players before, but not quite the level of Alcaraz.
"I feel like as soon as I had 95% focus, I lost a game. When I made a big emotional push to break him twice, I got broken to love straight back.
'It was because I gave everything, kind of emptied the tank for that game to break him, but then you have to hold.
'It's just really, really difficult to keep that 100% focus and 100% intensity.'
Tarvet should be collecting £99,000 in prize money, but the strict financial rules governing the American college system only allow him to claim £7,290 in profit each year.
But what he lacks in his bank account, he makes up for in self-belief – and if Alcaraz's comments are anything to go by, his will surely be a name we will be hearing again.
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website.