Oliver Tarvet, an unheralded British amateur, is setting his sights on one of the biggest upsets in Wimbledon history when he faces defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round. The 21-year-old world number 733, who earned a spot at Wimbledon through the qualifiers, has already made history by reaching his first-ever Grand Slam tournament.
Tarvet, still an amateur to maintain his collegiate status, has big dreams of upending Alcaraz’s bid for a third straight title, though financial constraints weigh heavily on his ambitions.
Tarvet, who is currently studying at the University of San Diego, is finding it tough to balance the high costs of professional tennis with his amateur status. Despite winning £99,000 in prize money, he can only profit $10,000 for the calendar year.
Yet, the British player, who has quickly become known for his self-belief, isn't backing down from the challenge of facing one of the sport’s brightest stars. He has expressed confidence that Alcaraz may be fatigued after his intense five-set opener.
Meanwhile, British No. 1 Emma Raducanu faces an uphill battle against Wimbledon 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova. Raducanu, who is battling a back injury and inconsistent form, will be aiming for her best Grand Slam performance in years. In the men's bracket, Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca, a Federer-inspired teenager, is eager to make his mark at Wimbledon after an impressive debut.
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