Wimbledon newcomer issues five-word warning to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz ahead of ‘dream’ match

By Ryan Price

Wimbledon newcomer issues five-word warning to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz ahead of 'dream' match

A Wimbledon debutant has publicly backed himself ahead of a challenging second-round fixture against world number two and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday. Hertfordshire native Oliver Tarvet told reporters: “I can win against anyone”, after the 21-year-old enjoyed a comfortable opening day of the tournament on Monday. The world number 733 saw off Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi 6-4 6-4 6-4, during his first ever appearance at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. After serving out the victory, the St Albans player could be seen punching the air with a wide smile plastered on his face. The University of San Diego student will face a significantly tougher test against Alcaraz this afternoon, with the Spaniard looking to win Wimbledon for the third year in a row. Tarvet’s underdog story will draw a lot of eyes to Centre Court later today, and the youngster says he has no reason to believe he won’t beat his mercurial opponent and progress to the next round. “I feel like nothing has changed,” said Tarvet. “I’ve come here and not really set myself any expectations. I’m quietly confident I can win against anyone. Alcaraz isn’t an exception to that. “He’s done an incredible amount in the tennis world,” he added. “He’s a difficult guy not to respect. I will 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.” By reaching the second round, Tarvet鈥檚 prize money has gone up to a guaranteed 拢99,000, but much of that may have to go unclaimed. As a student of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) – the organisation which runs college sports – Tarvet remains an amateur player until he graduates, and thus is not entitled to professional benefits. Tarvet can claim around 拢7,300 as well as the expenses he has incurred during the tournament. Unperturbed by the lack of financial fairness, the ambitious Brit has his focus firmly set on letting the tennis world know he has arrived. “I鈥檓 not here for the money,” added Tarvet. “I鈥檓 here for the crowd and the experience and just to stamp my mark. I think I鈥檝e done a pretty good job so far.” Carlos Alcaraz vs Oliver Tarvet will take place at around 3pm today and will be broadcast live on BBC Two and can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.

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