July 2, 2025: Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to take Centre Court at Wimbledon 2025 against British amateur Oliver Tarvet, as the tournament reels from a record number of early exits by seeded players. Alcaraz, aiming for his third consecutive Wimbledon title, now carries the weight of expectations in a Grand Slam that’s rapidly becoming one of the most unpredictable in recent history.
🆚 David vs Goliath Showdown: Alcaraz vs Tarvet
While world No. 2 Alcaraz boasts five Grand Slam titles and an active 19-match win streak, his opponent Oliver Tarvet, ranked 733, is playing his first-ever Grand Slam main draw match. The 22-year-old Spaniard is a formidable force on grass, having won 30 of his 33 Tour-level matches on the surface. His last Wimbledon loss was to Jannik Sinner in 2022.
Tarvet, a University of San Diego student, remains undeterred. “I’m quietly confident that I can win against anyone. Alcaraz isn’t an exception,” he said. Despite forfeiting most of his prize money due to amateur status, Tarvet joked about using his Wimbledon expenses creatively, adding charm to an already captivating underdog narrative.
🔥 Wimbledon 2025: Record-Breaking Upsets
Alcaraz steps into a chaotic draw that has seen 13 men’s seeds eliminated in the first round, surpassing the previous Wimbledon record of 11 and matching the 2004 Australian Open for most at a Slam. Major names to fall include:
- Alexander Zverev (3)
- Lorenzo Musetti (7)
- Daniil Medvedev (6)
- Holger Rune (9)
In the women’s draw, shocking early exits of Coco Gauff (2) and Jessica Pegula (3) further added to the tournament’s unpredictability.
🎾 What’s Next
Alcaraz vs Tarvet follows the clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Marie Bouzkova on Centre Court. Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter continue to lead British hopes in the women’s draw.
📺 How to Watch Wimbledon 2025
- UK Broadcast: BBC
- USA Broadcast: ESPN
- Live Updates & Streaming: Wimbledon.com, ESPN+, BBC iPlayer