Roger Federer has faced and beaten many opponents in his career. But there was something strikingly different about the opponent he beat on Wednesday. Marcus Willis, the name. He was pounded 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round at Wimbledon.He lost the match but certainly earned all British hearts, fame and respect.
This 25-year-old British qualifier took the tennis world by a storm, beginning from few weeks ago. He had never played a tour level match or at a Grand Slam before this year’s Wimbledon.
To make it to the main draw, he had to qualify through six matches. Three matches to qualify for the qualifying matches and three to get through qualifying rounds, to the main draw. Ranked 772nd in the world, Willis wouldn’t have imagined the fate that lied ahead.
Before this fairytale run here, he was a tennis instructor who lived with his parents. He was about to give up on playing tennis but was persuaded by his girlfriend to continue.
After clearing six rounds to qualify for the main draw, he played Ricardas Berankis in the first round and to everyone’s surprise, stunned the player ranked much much higher than him. Before walking on the court, Willis wouldn’t have expected the win. But as soon as he won, he was in sheer disbelief and celebrated the joy hugging his family with extreme enthusiasm. He was on a song.
Fellow Brit Andy Murray said: “I haven’t seen Marcus much over the last four or five years but whenever I’ve spent any time with him, he just makes you smile and laugh. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like him. He’s proved over the last 10 days that if he can maintain this motivation and concentration over a whole season, there’s no reason he can’t be playing at this level a little bit more often.”
Novak Djokovic was also all praises for him. He seemed pretty impressed by the Willis’ heroic run.
His next opponent would be Roger Federer, arguably the greatest player of all time. When Willis walked on the Centre Court, he seemed to have the time of his life. He entered the stadium with a grin on his face. His entry was backed by enormous cheers from most of the crowd. It was a dream come true for a person who had almost given the sport up. A humble Federer was smiling in happiness for his opponent. Willis was trying the sink the big moment in, enjoying every second like a party. Every point that he won was immediately supported by roaring cheers and thunderous claps. And he was there soaking in every second to the fullest.
Even after winning absolutely no games until the second game of the second set, Willis didn’t let himself down. His excitement seemed to keep going a notch higher point by point.
As he won his first game, his arms went high in the air in celebration as he received standing ovation. Willis surely enjoyed the entire match. Even after losing a point, he would smile, go back to the baseline and get ready for the next point.
He drove the British crowd crazy, and probably received a lot more support than Andy Murray ever did in a second round match. Everyone was amused by the success story. Willis would celebrate like a champion whenever he would get a challenge right or hit an extremely good winner or win a brutal rally. But the reality kicked in when he hit the ball long on Federer’s match point.
A fairytale run has come to an end, but this probably will be the start of something new. After losing the match, he was hugged and congratulated by Federer.
He embraced the crowd for their love and roaring support. Proud parents and family gazed with pride beaming in their eyes for their man, even after having lost the match.
In the post-match interview, Federer said: “It was very different. I thought he brought some unbelievable energy with his fans, his play, his personality. It was refreshing. This is one of the matches I am not going to forget.”
An unbelievably happy Willis, having the time of his life, exclaimed: “It’s daunting playing on Centre Court. It’s tough. I was panicking on the big points until I settled into the match. He puts you under a lot of pressure – he hits balls you don’t want him to. I was enjoying it out there but I still have a lot of improving to do. I just need to keep going and keep my head down. It sounds funny but I am disappointed to lose, but I have had a fantastic few weeks. The last three years I have been more dedicated, but I have to knuckle down as I want more experiences like this. I’m absolutely exhausted – but I have earned myself a beer now.”
This Wimbledon tale has now come to an end for Willis. But the question ahead is that will he play on tour regularly now or go back to coaching kids, restoring his life. There is a good chance that he might consider entering bigger tournaments than he usually does, thanks to all the ranking points, prize money, and most importantly the confidence he has gained from this herculean run. It would be a good option for him to enter more and more tournaments and have a new stint at professional tennis.
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