Wimbledon qualifier set to lose out on £58k prize money due to little-known rule

A tennis player who will compete at Wimbledon has called for a huge rule change after qualifying for the tournament.

British qualifier Oliver Tarvet secured his spot in the first round of this year’s competition after winning his third and fourth qualifying matches earlier this week.

Usually, if a player reaches the first round, they receive £66,000 in prize money, but the 21-year-old will miss out on around £58,000 due to a little-known rule.

The Englishman currently attends the University of San Diego and has developed his game in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) system.

But under NCCA regulations, players are restricted on how much they can receive in prize money from professional tournaments.

Oliver Tarvet in action (Credit:Getty)

On Friday, Tarvet explained how players are only allowed $10,000 (£7,290) in profit every year, as well as any expenses registered during events.

"I know there have been complaints about it, but I don't want to speak too much about it and overstep the mark," Tarvet said via BBC Sport.

"But in my opinion, I've worked hard to get this money. I don't feel like it's undeserved the money that I've got.

"I think it would be good to see a change in the rules of the NCAA, but at the same time, I don't want to get involved. It's not really my place.

"But I've done well this week. I think I deserve this money."

And he’s not the first player to miss out.

According to the Carolina Journal, earlier this year, Reese Brandmeier filed a class action against the NCAA over the restrictions and was joined by Maya Joint, who missed out on more than $200,000 (£145,000) in US Open prize money after reaching the fourth round of the competition in 2024.

But other players are set to pocket huge sums of cash - see below for a full breakdown of this year's prize money.

2025 Wimbledon Prize Money

Men's and Ladies' Singles

First Round - £66,000 ($90,744)

Second Round - £99,000 ($136,117)

Third Round - £152,000 ($208,987)

Fourth Round - £240,000 ($329,980)

Quarterfinals -£400,000 ($549,968)

Semifinals - £775,000 ($1,065,563)

Runner-Up - £1.52 million ($2,089,878)

Winner - £3 million ($4,124,760)

Total Prize Money

Men's and Ladies' Singles - £38,828,000 ($53,385,396)

Men's and Ladies' Doubles - £6,034,000 ($8,296,267)

Mixed Doubles - £485,000 ($666,836)

Men's and Ladies' Wheelchair Singles -£303,000 ($416,600)

Men's and Ladies' Wheelchair Doubles - £85,000 ($116,868)

Quad Wheelchair Singles - £217,000 ($298,357)

Quad Wheelchair Doubles - £63,000 ($86,619)