Danielle Collins shows support for British player Oliver Tarvet and collegiate tennis players at risk of losing prize money

Despite reaching the second round at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, British tennis player Oliver Tarvet is at risk of losing his tournament prize money, prompting American tennis star Danielle Collins to rally behind him and other collegiate tennis players.

Tarvet went through the qualifying rounds to reach the main draw at SW19. The 21-year old defeated Swiss player Leandro Riedi in the opening round, before falling to defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round.

Currently ranked at World No.733, Tarvet is not a staple on the ATP main tour. However, the Brit is also a student athlete for the university of San Diego in the NCAA. According to the rules, an NCAA player cannot earn more than $10,000 in a calendar year.

With Tarvet making the second round, he has earned £99,000. However, if Tarvet would like to continue playing in the collegiate division, he would have to forfeit a significant portion of that money to maintain his college eligibility.

Collins, a two-time NCAA singles titlist during her collegiate career at the University of Virginia, was questioned on the issue during her post-match press conference at Wimbledon.

"I thought that there was going to be some type of change, or maybe it was just my assumption,” Collins said. “It’s kind of interesting that you can’t accept (prize money). I wish that there was some type of solution.
"If the concern is that the player is accepting money as a professional athlete and therefore they are professional athletes, maybe there’s a way that there can be a fair portion that goes towards a 401K or some type of retirement fund that you’re not able to touch until you’re 65."

The former Australian Open runner-up would voice her support for athlete rights, while pointing out the benefit of competing on the collegiate system before transitioning to the professional tour.

"Any athlete should be put in a position to get set up for success," added Collins. I feel like there’s a solution to these kinds of things. I think sometimes it just requires people to think a little bit outside of the box. That would be kind of cool if they could put it into something like a retirement fund.
“Then that way it’s not being spent irresponsibly but helps a college athlete that’s worked really hard to look out for their future. I feel like there are so many players now that are kind of going through the college tennis system and are doing really well.
“I feel like college gives you a little bit more time to kind of grow and develop. Not necessarily physically, but I think mentally, and that’s the most important thing. I don’t think a lot of people are equipped to deal with the stress and pressure that comes along with playing a professional sport, especially an individual one."