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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
From San Diego to Wimbledon: meet Britain's college hotshot Oliver Tarvet
Two weeks ago, 21-year-old Oliver Tarvet concluded his third and penultimate year at the University of San Diego, basking in the sunshine on America's west coast. 'Excited for one more,' he posted on Instagram, at that stage unaware of the green-floored opportunity ahead. Fast-forward a fortnight, to Friday, and Tarvet will be one of 128 players to take his place in the men's singles draw for Wimbledon. Not half bad. 'This seemed so far away when I was a little kid,' said Tarvet, from St Albans, whose world ranking of 719 makes him the British No 33. 'Now it's a reality, it's obviously a great feeling. Winning on Monday [round one] was something I didn't expect, but I just kept on surprising myself this week.' Advertisement Given an unexpected wild card for qualifying, Tarvet made a mockery of the numbers and – as the second-lowest ranked player in the draw – became the first British man in eight years to qualify for Wimbledon. Needless to say, he'll be the lowest-ranked player next week, by an astonishing 236 places. Tarvet's impressive four-set victory, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, over Belgian player Alexander Blockx, ranked 579 places higher, in the final round on Thursday was met with jubilation in the unique setting of the 770-capacity Court 1, at the Bank of England Sports Centre in Roehampton; an old-school, makeshift venue which acts as the traditional gateway to the big dance at the All England Club, three miles down the road. Tarvet had supremely passed his first two tests this week in straight sets, stunning world No 126 Terence Atmane in round one. Yet Thursday's final round presented something different from London's recent heatwave. With grey clouds overhead, the scene was decidedly gloomy but fortuitously, the Briton is well accustomed to swirly conditions. Advertisement 'Luckily, I play in wind because we're right by the coast, we get that coastal breeze,' he says of his time at San Diego, where he is majoring in Communications, with a minor in Marketing. 'This is a bit more swirly, a bit more unpredictable. In San Diego, it's a bit more consistent. 'A lot of it is about being scrappy. There's going to be bad bounces, but I did a good job just accepting it and making the most of it.' The first two sets were split, immediately placing Tarvet into new territory in his first best-of-five set match. Yet after a mid-match downpour, forcing the players off court for 45 minutes, Tarvet played lights out on his return, storming to the third set and a double-break lead in the decider. The wind picked up as he served out the match, but with an ace crisply sweeping the chalk on match point, the college star chucked his racket up in the air in unparalleled euphoria. He would later tell of 'mad' reactions on his college WhatsApp group – and a £66,000 first-round prize, on paper, awaits him next week, yet he will only be able to pick up $10,000 (£7,279) worth of that prize, given his status as a college athlete. Oliver Tarvet, the British No 33, has qualified for the main draw at Wimbledon (Getty Images) Tarvet celebrates his four-set win in Roehampton by throwing his racket into the air (Kieran Jackson/The Independent) 'After the rain delay, I did a really good job coming out with really good energy,' he added. 'It's really special. It was my first best-of-five match and it's something I knew I was ready for. I just need that same confidence going into next week.' Advertisement Tarvey is the latest in a line of British players who are utilising the ultra-competitive US college system as a means of launching a professional career. Cameron Norrie and, just last year, Jacob Fearnley have all impressed stateside before steamrolling into the world's top-100, largely as a result of eye-catching results on the grass. Could Tarvet be next in line? 'It's incredible, college definitely teaches you to be loud and competitive,' Tarvey says, of an environment he has clearly thrived in. He won the singles and doubles at the ITA All-American Championships in September, the first man since 2015 to hold both trophies. Hamish Stewart missed out on a Wimbledon spot at the final hurdle (Getty Images) 'Even if you're top-10 in the world, college is such a great option. 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. Advertisement 'In college tennis, usually the more competitive team wins. You have 10 guys screaming your name, it's tough not to play well and enjoy the moment. Generally, I play my best when I'm more energetic.' Yet while Tarvey will be keeping a firm eye on Friday morning's draw, compatriot Hamish Stewart agonisingly missed out on a Wimbledon spot after a four-set defeat. The 25-year-old, from Strathblane in Scotland, who came through pre-qualifying last week as well, was very much in the contest at 4-4 in the fourth set, albeit a set down, but did not win a point after the rain delay, with the world No 550 losing seven points on the bounce to Switzerland's Leandro Riedi. Emily Appleton, the only British woman in the last round of qualifying, fought back to take the second set in her match against Veronika Erjavec, but won just seven points thereafter as the Slovenian progressed in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 6-0.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The bizarre reason British No 719 WON'T be able to claim £66,000 prize money after qualifying for main Wimbledon draw
This is the bizarre reason that a British tennis player ranked number 719 in the world cannot claim his £66,000 prize money after qualifying for Wimbledon on Thursday. Oliver Tarvet, 21, recorded the biggest win of his career as he edged past Belgian world number 144 Alexander Blockx, 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-1, in the final round of qualifying on Thursday. His win means there will be 23 British players, 13 men and 10 women, in the singles draw when Wimbledon begins on 30 June, which is the most since 1984. However, Tarvet, who hails from St Albans, Hertfordshire, will not be able to take home the majority of his £66,000 prize money. But that has not deterred the Brit after he managed to qualify for his home Grand Slam for the first time. Speaking after his match, he said: 'There's a lot of emotions, but the main one is just happiness. Ever since I was a little kid, it's been my dream.' It marked the Brit's biggest win of his career as he won a best-of-five set match for the first time He cannot claim most of his prize money as he currently plays on the US collegiate circuit and has one year remaining of his degree at the University of San Diego - and most college sports in the United States are amateur. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred after a player had managed to qualify for the main draw at SW19. Last year, Australian Maya Joint, who beat Emma Raducanu at Eastbourne earlier this week, forfeited more than $200,000 (£145,000) in prize money, after reaching the second round of the US Open while she was an amateur at the University of Texas. Student athletes can claim up to $10,000 (£7,300) per year from any prize money, which they can use to put towards expenses and entrance fees. Tarvet joked that he could subsequently afford to fly his coach home via private jet despite not being allowed to claim all of his prize money. He added: 'It's a little bit awkward because I've got to find a lot of expenses and I really want to come back to University of San Diego to complete my fourth year. 'What they've done for me is just incredible and I'm so grateful. I want to spend my fourth year there and really leave my mark on US history. 'I can claim up to $10,000 so I might be flying my coach on a private jet at home.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
GB's Tarvet, ranked 719, reaches Wimbledon main draw
Oliver Tarvet previously defeated top-250 players Terence Atmane and Alexis Galarneau in the first two qualifying rounds [Getty Images] Britain's world number 719 Oliver Tarvet has reached the Wimbledon singles main draw - which will contain the highest number of home players for 41 years. Tarvet upset Belgian world number 144 Alexander Blockx 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-1 in the final round of qualifying on Thursday. Advertisement It was the 21-year-old's first time playing a best-of-five match. Tarvet's victory means there will be 23 British players - 11 men and 12 women - in the singles draw when Wimbledon begins on 30 June. That is the most since 1984, when there were nine men and 14 women. The Englishman, who is from St Albans, competes on the US collegiate circuit and has one year left on his studies at the University of San Diego. Most college sports in America are strictly amateur, so Tarvet will be unable to claim the vast majority of his £66,000 prize money for reaching the Wimbledon first round. "There's a lot of emotions, but the the main one is just happiness," Tavert said. Advertisement "Ever since I was a little kid, it's been my dream." Tavert previously defeated top-250 players Terence Atmane of France and Canadian Alexis Galarneau in the first two rounds of qualifying. Earlier on Thursday, British world number 550 Hamish Stewart fell 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 to Swiss Leandro Riedi. Emily Appleton also missed out on a main-draw spot, losing 6-2 2-6 6-0 to Veronika Erjavec of Slovenia. 'I might be flying my coach home by private jet' Tarvet's prize money situation is not unheard of. Last year, Australian Maya Joint forfeited more than $200,000 in prize money after reaching the second round of the US Open while still an amateur at the University of Texas. Advertisement Student-athletes are allowed to claim up to $10,000 per year from any prize money, which goes towards expenses and entrance fees. "It's a little bit awkward because I've got to find a lot of expenses and I really want to come back to University of San Diego to complete my fourth year," Tavert said. "What they've done for me is just incredible and I'm so grateful. I want to spend my fourth year there and really leave my mark on US history. "I can claim up to $10,000 so I might be flying my coach on a private jet at home." Tavert 'unlikely to change his plans' Analysis by BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller Advertisement Qualifying for the main draw of Wimbledon is unlikely to change Tarvet's plans for the year ahead. He is said to be keen to complete his degree and play a final year on the phenomenally competitive US college circuit. He was ranked in the top 5 division one singles players in this year's NCAA Championships, having won 23 of his 25 matches. Tarvet has only played two professional tournaments this year, but won one of them - a $15,000 ITF World Tour event which took place in San Diego. The world number 719 has already accumulated five titles in his very short career - all of which have been on the lowest rung of the professional ladder. Advertisement $25,000 is the largest prize fund he has ever competed for. The total prize pot at Wimbledon is $73.52 million (£53.5 million).
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
GB's Tarvet, ranked 719, reaches Wimbledon main draw
Britain's world number 719 Oliver Tarvet has reached the Wimbledon singles main draw - which will contain the highest number of home players for 41 upset Belgian world number 144 Alexander Blockx 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-1 in the final round of qualifying on was the 21-year-old's first time playing a best-of-five victory means there will be 23 British players - 11 men and 12 women - in the singles draw when Wimbledon begins on 30 is the most since 1984, when there were nine men and 14 women. The Englishman, who is from St Albans, competes on the US collegiate circuit and has one year left on his studies at the University of San college sports in America are strictly amateur, so Tarvet will be unable to claim the vast majority of his £66,000 prize money for reaching the Wimbledon first round."There's a lot of emotions, but the the main one is just happiness," Tavert said."Ever since I was a little kid, it's been my dream."Tavert previously defeated top-250 players Terence Atmane of France and Canadian Alexis Galarneau in the first two rounds of on Thursday, British world number 550 Hamish Stewart fell 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 to Swiss Leandro Appleton also missed out on a main-draw spot, losing 6-2 2-6 6-0 to Veronika Erjavec of Slovenia. 'I might be flying my coach home by private jet' Tarvet's prize money situation is not unheard year, Australian Maya Joint forfeited more than $200,000 in prize money, external after reaching the second round of the US Open while still an amateur at the University of are allowed to claim up to $10,000 per year from any prize money, which goes towards expenses and entrance fees."It's a little bit awkward because I've got to find a lot of expenses and I really want to come back to University of San Diego to complete my fourth year," Tavert said."What they've done for me is just incredible and I'm so grateful. I want to spend my fourth year there and really leave my mark on US history."I can claim up to $10,000 so I might be flying my coach on a private jet at home." Tavert 'unlikely to change his plans' Analysis by BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller Qualifying for the main draw of Wimbledon is unlikely to change Tarvet's plans for the year is said to be keen to complete his degree and play a final year on the phenomenally competitive US college was ranked in the top 5 division one singles players in this year's NCAA Championships, having won 23 of his 25 has only played two professional tournaments this year, but won one of them - a $15,000 ITF World Tour event which took place in San world number 719 has already accumulated five titles in his very short career - all of which have been on the lowest rung of the professional ladder.$25,000 is the largest prize fund he has ever competed for. The total prize pot at Wimbledon is $73.52 million (£53.5 million).
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
From San Diego to Wimbledon: meet British No 33 college hotshot Oliver Tarvet
Two weeks ago, 21-year-old Oliver Tarvet concluded his third and penultimate year at the University of San Diego, basking in the sunshine on America's west coast. 'Excited for one more,' he posted on Instagram, at that stage unaware of the green-floored opportunity ahead. Fast-forward a fortnight, to Friday, and Tarvet will be one of 128 players to take his place in the men's singles draw for Wimbledon. Not half bad. 'This seemed so far away when I was a little kid,' said Tarvet, from St Albans, whose world ranking of 719 makes him the British No 33. 'Now it's a reality, it's obviously a great feeling. Winning on Monday [round one] was something I didn't expect, but I just kept on surprising myself this week.' Given an unexpected wild card for qualifying, Tarvet made a mockery of the numbers and – as the second-lowest ranked player in the draw – became the first British man in eight years to qualify for Wimbledon. Needless to say, he'll be the lowest-ranked player next week, by an astonishing 236 places. Tarvet's impressive four-set victory over Belgian player Alexander Blockx, ranked 579 places higher, in the final round on Thursday was met with jubilation in the unique setting of the 770-capacity Court 1, at the Bank of England Sports Centre in Roehampton; an old-school, makeshift venue which acts as the traditional gateway to the big dance at the All England Club, three miles down the road. Tarvet had supremely passed his first two tests this week in straight sets, stunning world No 126 Terence Atmane in round one. Yet Thursday's final round presented something different from London 's recent heatwave. With grey clouds overhead, the scene was decidedly gloomy but, fortuitously, the Briton is well accustomed to swirly conditions. 'Luckily, I play in wind because we're right by the coast, we get that coastal breeze,' he says of his time at San Diego, where he is majoring in Communications, with a minor in Marketing. 'This is a bit more swirly, a bit more unpredictable. In San Diego, it's a bit more consistent. 'A lot of it is about being scrappy. There's going to be bad bounces, but I did a good job just accepting it and making the most of it.' The first two sets were split, immediately placing Tarvet into new territory in his first best-of-five set match. Yet after a mid-match downpour, forcing the players off court for 45 minutes, Tarvet played lights out on his return, storming to the third set and a double-break lead in the decider. The wind picked up as he served out the match, but with an ace crisply sweeping the chalk on match point, the college star chucked his racket up in the air in unparalleled euphoria. He would later tell of 'mad' reactions on his college WhatsApp group – and a £66,000 first-round prize awaits him next week. 'After the rain delay, I did a really good job coming out with really good energy,' he added. 'It's really special. It was my first best-of-five match and it's something I knew I was ready for. I just need that same confidence going into next week.' Tarvey is the latest in a line of British players who are utilising the ultra-competitive US college system as a means of launching a professional career. Cameron Norrie and, just last year, Jacob Fearnley have all impressed stateside before steamrolling into the world's top-100, largely as a result of eye-catching results on the grass. Could Tarvet be next in line? 'It's incredible, college definitely teaches you to be loud and competitive,' Tarvey says, of an environment he has clearly thrived in. He won the singles and doubles at the ITA All-American Championships in September, the first man since 2015 to hold both trophies. 'Even if you're top-10 in the world, college is such a great option. I was a little bit immature when I was 18, I was not ready to be independent and expect the loneliness of the tour. It's a really good option to help you mature and develop your game. 'In college tennis, usually the more competitive team wins. You have 10 guys screaming your name, it's tough not to play well and enjoy the moment. Generally, I play my best when I'm more energetic.' Yet while Tarvey will be keeping a firm eye on Friday morning's draw, compatriot Hamish Stewart agonisingly missed out on a Wimbledon spot after a four-set defeat. The 25-year-old, from Strathblane in Scotland, who came through pre-qualifying last week as well, was very much in the contest at 4-4 in the fourth set, albeit a set down, but did not win a point after the rain delay, with the world No 550 losing seven points on the bounce to Switzerland's Leandro Riedi. Emily Appleton, the only British woman in the last round of qualifying, is in action later on Thursday.
