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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sean Ingle at Wimbledon

‘Most special day of my life’: world No 733 Tarvet enjoys limelight in Alcaraz defeat

Oliver Tarvet Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon Cameron Norrie Tennis
Oliver Tarvet plays a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Wimbledon championship.
Oliver Tarvet exited Wimbledon to a standing ovation and warm words from his illustrious opponent, Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

As a script it surely would have been rejected by Hollywood for being too outlandish. A 21-year-old British student, who has never played on the main tennis tour before, suddenly finds himself on Centre Court with 15,000 people cheering him on. And on the other side of the net is the Wimbledon champion.

Yet that was the situation that Oliver Tarvet, the world No 733 from St Albans, found himself in on Wednesday as he lined up to face the brilliant Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.

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