Roger Federer relishing clash with Britain's new Wimbledon hero Marcus Willis

Roger Federer says he cannot wait to play Britain's Wimbledon wonder Marcus Willis and hailed his progress as one of the greatest stories in the sport.

Roger Federer relishing clash with Britain's new Wimbledon hero Marcus Willis

Roger Federer says he cannot wait to play Britain's Wimbledon wonder Marcus Willis and hailed his progress as one of the greatest stories in the sport.

Willis, ranked 772nd in the world and nicknamed 'Willbomb', almost gave up tennis earlier this year and has been coaching rather than playing on tour but won his seventh match in a row with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory over bemused Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis.

On a normal Monday afternoon, Willis would have been coaching five-year-olds at Warwick Boat Club. Instead, he was beating the 54th best player in the world on a raucous Court 17 packed with his friends and family.

The 25-year-old will now face 17-time grand slam champion Federer in round two and the Swiss was happy to shower praise on his unlikely opponent.

"I have followed it actually before I even saw him in my section of the draw," Federer said.

"I heard more about it. I think it's one of the best stories in a long time in our sport, other than Djokovic winning slams, you know, Rafa doing a good comeback, and Murray playing great.

"This is the kind of stories we need in our sport. I think it's a great, great story.

"I'm very excited to be playing him actually. It's not something that I get to do very often. I'm looking forward to that."

Willis could do little but shake his head at the improbability of it all, and no wonder.

A talented junior who quickly learned the harsh reality of life at the bottom of the professional ladder, Willis lacked the discipline and drive to fulfil his potential.

Three years ago he decided to change all that.

"I was a bit of a loser," he said. "I was overweight. I was slaying off pints. I was just a loser. I just looked myself in the mirror, I said, 'You're better than this'.

"My coach worked very, very hard with me. A lot of people, my family, my close friends got behind me. It's key. You can't do this alone."

Goran Ivanisevic, whose 2001 final Willis watched on tape after school, nervously living every last dramatic moment with his hero, shook his hand to congratulate him.

Now Willis will play seven-time Wimbledon champion Federer, probably on Centre Court.

Asked if he had ever spoken to the Swiss, Willis said with a smile: "I don't think he was at Tunisia F1 this year."

That was a reference to the only previous tournament Willis played this year, on the lowly Futures Tour. He won two matches and then withdrew, taking home 292 US dollars in prize money.

For his victory over Berankis, Willis will earn a minimum of £50,000, not far off his whole career earnings until now.

"There's not much going on in my head right now," he said. "It's a bit of a blur. But it's all positive. It's got a little bit out of hand."

Federer booked his own place in the second round by beating Argentina's Guido Pella 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (7/3) 6-3.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Sport Ireland sets out advice for transgender athletes in sport Sport Ireland sets out advice for transgender athletes in sport
Elijah Tillman is challenged by Nikola Roso 20/1/2024 Tillman Demons' trump card in Final Four visit to Killester
Daniil Medvedev Daniil Medvedev books last-four clash with Jannik Sinner
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited