Blades of Glory: SoCal Gentlemen Take on
Wimbledon Qualifying

As the oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam in tennis, Wimbledon is where tradition meets greatness. First played in 1877, it’s the only major still contested on grass. With its storied history, royal patronage, and all-white dress code, Wimbledon offers a stage unlike any other, where players don’t just compete, they earn their place in tennis history.

As qualifying gets underway, a new generation of players with Southern California ties is stepping onto the sport’s most hallowed ground, chasing their Wimbledon moment one blade of grass at a time. Whether they fine-tuned their game in the SoCal junior ranks or rose to prominence on college courts in the region, these rising stars bring big serves, bold tactics, and the kind of grit that grass demands, all in pursuit of a shot at tennis’s most iconic stage.

The men’s qualifying is up first, starting tomorrow, June 23.

Emilio Nava returns to the Grand Slam stage with confidence and purpose as he opens his Wimbledon qualifying run against fellow American Mitchell Krueger, the 2024 Southern California Open Week 1 ATP Challenger 50 champion. Ranked No. 121 and seeded 13th in the draw, Nava has never faced Krueger on the ATP Tour, but he enters the week with momentum and a meaningful mission.

The Woodland Hills native is aiming to reach the Wimbledon main draw for the first time, with his best previous result being a second-round qualifying appearance last year. He’s coming off a standout clay season that included a first-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp at Roland Garros, followed by a primetime showdown with Holger Rune under the lights on Court Philippe Chatrier, his first time on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.

While grass demands a different skill set—rewarding quick reflexes, aggressive play, and fast footwork—Nava’s evolving all-court game and recent form make him a real threat on the lawns of London. Potential later-round matchups include Dominic Stricker, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, and Shintaro Mochizuki.

Off the court, Nava continues to play with purpose. Since Roland Garros, he’s worn a Live Like Braun patch on his sleeve to honor Braun Levi, the Loyola High School senior from Los Angeles who was tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver.

“Because the truth is it could have been me, you, any of us,” Nava said. “I’ll continue to wear the patch for the rest of the season to keep his memory alive and to support this important cause.”

Now, as he steps onto the grass at the All England Club, Nava isn’t just chasing a Wimbledon debut, he’s playing for something far greater.

Pacific Beach’s Zach Svajda is inching closer to his own breakthrough. After reaching the second round of qualifying in both 2023 and 2024, the 22-year-old arrives in London fresh off a strong showing at the Ilkley Open. There, he cruised through qualifying and survived a pair of three-set battles en route to the semifinals, where he narrowly fell to Tristan Schoolkate.

Currently ranked No. 197, Svajda opens against Austria’s Lukas Neumayer, with a potential second-round test against top seed Marton Fucsovics or Jurij Rodionov. From there, the path to the main draw could go through Matteo Gigante, Jan Choinski, Mark Lajal, or Chris Rodesch.

With his grass game sharpening at just the right time, Svajda looks ready to break through the qualifying barrier and earn his long-awaited spot on tennis’s grandest stage.

Tristan Boyer is hoping to keep his own rise going, and turn it into his first Wimbledon main draw. The 24-year-old from Altadena is the highest-ranked player with Southern California ties in the men’s qualifying field, entering at World No. 117. While grass is a unique challenge, Boyer’s clean ball-striking and court savvy translate well to the surface.

He opens against France’s Luka Pavlovic (No. 224), with a potential second-round matchup against Ohio State standout James Trotter or France’s Calvin Hemery. In the third round, he could meet former USC Trojan Yannick Hanfmann, who edged him earlier this month in Stuttgart, or one of several other contenders including Beibit Zhukayev, Vitaliy Sachko, or Hugo Grenier.

Yannick Hanfmann, ranked No. 138, is seeking his fourth Wimbledon main draw appearance (2021, 2023, 2024). The German has been sharpening his grass game on home turf, qualifying for back-to-back ATP main draws in Stuttgart and Halle. Though he fell to Marton Fucsovics and Jannik Sinner in the first rounds, Hanfmann’s comfort on grass makes him a real threat to return to the All England Club.

He begins against Hugo Grenier, with Zhukayev or Sachko awaiting in round two. In the final round, Hanfmann may cross paths with Boyer, Hemery, Trotter, or Pavlovic.

Steady and seasoned, Hanfmann knows what it takes to navigate the road to SW19.

Former University of San Diego standout and SoCal Pro Series champion August Holmgren is back in Grand Slam qualifying for the third time this year. The Dane reached the second round at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and now he’s looking to break through on grass.

Holmgren starts against Britain’s Giles Hussey, with Thiago Seyboth Wild or Mikhail Kukushkin possibly waiting in round two. In the final round, he could meet Thiago Monteiro, Colton Smith, Santiago Rodriguez Taverna, or Yosuke Watanuki.

With consistent results this season and growing confidence, Holmgren is quietly becoming a name to watch in the Wimbledon qualifying field.

USD teammate Oliver “Ollie” Tarvet is making his Grand Slam debut as a wildcard and arrives with one of the most decorated college résumés in the country. The Brit-turned-Torero swept the 2024 ITA All-American titles in both singles and doubles and recently captured a SoCal Pro Series crown on his home courts at USD earlier this month. A two-time WCC Player of the Year with four pro titles and a career-high ATP ranking of No. 625, Tarvet brings power, polish, and poise to the grass.

Known for his relentless focus and all-around strength—yes, he really can deadlift 500 pounds—arvet is looking to make the most of his Grand Slam debut. With a game that’s proven against top college talent and a rapidly growing résumé on the pro circuit, the Brit-turned-Torero is one to keep an eye on as he takes his first swings on the grass with his wildcard entry into the qualifying.

Tarvet opens against No. 123 Terence Atmane, with potential matchups against Alexis Galarneau or Arizona State’s Murphy Cassone, and a final-round test that could include Alexander Blockx, Timofey Skatov, Stefano Napolitano, or Facundo Mena.

For USD Head Coach Ryan Keckley, seeing Holmgren and Tarvet at Wimbledon isn’t just rewarding, it’s the culmination of years of belief, discipline, and growth.

“They are more than ready to step into this moment,” Keckley said. “These two embody all that this program stands for and more. Their work ethic, competitiveness, and love for the process have allowed them both to rise to the top of college tennis.”

Keckley emphasized that preparation for moments like Wimbledon goes far beyond technique.

“They’ll focus on what they can control,” he added. “It’s important for both of them to not let the moment get bigger than a tennis match. If they shift their attention to the items that they practice daily, these two will excel in this prestigious environment.”

Holmgren and Tarvet are even scheduled to play side by side on Monday—Courts 2 and 3—a snapshot of a program on the rise.

“To witness these great Toreros on this stage certainly puts a smile on my face,” Keckley said. “I trust that both will continue to climb the ATP ladder, representing this program along the way to the best of their ability.”

Next on the schedule: Women’s singles qualifying.
Check back tomorrow for complete Round 1 results and an in-depth preview of the women’s draw.