New British Wimbledon sensation's girlfriend backs him to beat champ Alcaraz

Daily Mirror

12 hours ago

Oliver Tarvet's girlfriend Helaena Staebler, 20, believes he has what it takes to beat the grand slam champion, who he'll take on in the second round on Wednesday
New British tennis hero Oliver Tarvet's girlfriend is backing the world number 733 to beat reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in round two at Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old student athlete, who is the lowest ranked player in the tournament, was pictured kissing Helaena Staebler at the side of the court after beating Switzerland's Leandro Riedi in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. He will now face Alcaraz, 22, in round two on Wednesday.
‌
Asked if she thinks Oliver, from St Albans, Herts, can beat the Spaniard, Helaena, 20, told the Mirror: "Yes, I do. I've always believed in him - it's just what you've got to do.
‌
'Wednesday is going to be really big. I have no words, I haven't even been able to process this just now. It's gonna be amazing, I'm very excited, I'm sure he's very excited as well.
"He has a really good mindset. I think he went in to it as if it was just another tennis match - I think he was just ready for it."
Oliver, a communications major, and Helaena, a biology major originally from Sacramento, California, have been together for just over a year after meeting at San Diego University.
She praised their communication skills as being a key part of the success of their relationship, despite their busy schedules. Addressing his low ranking, she said: "He hasn't played a lot of world tournaments - it's been a lot of college matches, so I think that's why he's got this ranking."
Oliver's mum Jenny, an education worker, beamed alongside his dad Garry as she hugged them both in emotional moments after the match before describing his performance as "extraordinary". She said: I can't believe his focus and determination out there. I haven't seen him serve so well. He was just brilliant. He was so zoned at the end.'
‌
On his next match against Alcaraz, she said: "There's a massive gap, it's just a question of how big. I'm just looking at how he's going to match up.' She added: 'I just really hope he gives him a game."
Mrs Tarvet said she is not entitled to automatic holiday days at her work, but told how her boss had kindly given her the day off to attend today's match. She says she is confident her employer will give her another day off to watch her son at Wimbledon again on Wednesday.
‌
Oliver was sponsored by TK Maxx and short-term loan company Clearpay, who both had their logos on his sleeves for today's match. He has guaranteed himself winnings of at least £99,000 following his heroics.
However, US college rules mean he can only take home $10,000 [£7,300] in prize money each year as a student athlete at the University of San Diego.
Addressing the issue in his post-match press conference, he said: "I will try and do everything I can to make that work out and to find X amount of expenses so I'm under $10,000 of profit.
‌
"It's something I've got to figure out. Maybe I hire someone to help me out with the expenses, make sure the NCAA are happy. It's very important for me. I have a lot of goals at USD still."
National Collegiate Athletic Association rules say: "In tennis, prior to full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept up to $10,000 per calendar year in prize money based on his or her place finish or performance in open athletics events [events that are not invitation only].
‌
"Once the individual has reached the $10,000 limit in a particular year, he or she may receive additional prize money on a per-event basis, provided such prize money does not exceed the individual's actual and necessary expenses for participation in the event."
Explaining the system, Oliver said: "By December, I need to show that profit or prize money minus expenses equals less than $10,000. Tennis is an expensive sport so, hopefully, I can make that happen... just pay my coaches a little bit extra. I don't know. We'll figure something out."
‌
Oliver joked he may fly back to the US business class, but then added: "Obviously, no, I keep humble." Speaking about his win, he said: "As a kid, it's what you dream of. I came here when I was a little kid. It's what you work for. For it to happen so suddenly has been really special."
On the prospect of facing reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round, he said: "If I do play him, again, I feel like nothing has changed. I've come here and not really set myself any expectations.
‌
"I'm quietly confident that I can win against anyone - Alcaraz isn't an exception to that. I'll just go out there and try and treat it like another match.
"At the end of the day, for me, I try and play the ball, not the player. Obviously, it's going to be pretty special playing against Alcaraz, potentially on a pretty big court."
‌
Oliver, who was seen with a notepad, said he likes to journal to help him before and during matches. He said: "I like to journal. It's a thing that I enjoy doing.
"You can maybe see on the court I bring a little notepad and I write just things that allow me to focus on what makes me good, gives me success in the process. I feel like a thing that gives me comfort a lot is focusing on those things and the outcome will take care of itself.
"Just little triggers that keeps me in the right head space and keeps me focused. That's given me a lot of success, not even matches, before or after practices.
"If there's a feeling that I like, a thought I like, I write it down so I have it on paper. That's given me a lot of just comfort. "Especially when you're playing in big crowds, I feel like it's important just to not let the moment get too big or lose your focus. It just keeps me grounded. I think that's a big thing for me."