But it seems that being part of last year’s Davis Cup-winning British squad might have boosted his confidence – certainly he played far above anything he has produced at Wimbledon in the past.
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Federer’s 81st Wimbledon match, of course, ended in victory. “It doesn’t change. I just do it at the right time”. “I just want to relax”.
“It was very different to what I am used to”. But I can’t expect it to be easy. I don’t think I played too bad, I just didn’t serve very well.
“But it’s not a day out for me”.
“Everyone knows how good he is”.
“The game was always going to be on but whether Marcus was going to be able to play for us was another matter”, he said. I loved every bit of it – not the duffing bit.
Here’s guessing that Willis’ opponents in local leagues do not wield a racket quite the way Federer can.
Willis dusted himself down and came through three pre-qualifying rounds to book his spot at the All England Club.
“What a moment that would have been for Marcus, though, and I was so pleased to see him play in the Wimbledon main draw”.
Then he had to decide whether he should lead the way to Centre Court, or follow behind Federer.
Federer has now also reached the second week at Wimbledon for the 14th time.
“I did look up twice as I bounced the ball and saw Roger Federer, and thought, ‘Oh, haven’t seen this before, ‘” he said. I was a little younger and I was a bit star struck and nervous when I hit with him, but I’m really looking forward to this. B ut it’s a learning curve, isn’t it?
“I get messages saying, Thanks so much, I believe in myself now”.
“I’m pretty proud of what I’ve done”.
Willis – ranked 772 in the world – pulled off an incredible upset yesterday (Monday) by beating world number 54, Ricardas Berankis, in the first round.
One match that should provide plenty of entertainment is the first match on Court One between Nick Kyrgios and Dustin Brown. But it was flashy, exciting play, with fast rallies, and Federer had to be on his toes.
“I’ll get a meal and go to bed”. I get to play on a stadium court. It’s another match, like I said.
Federer ruled out his chances of challenging for an eighth title at the start of the week because of the terrible year he has endured.
Djokovic last lost a slam match when he was defeated by Stan Wawrinka in the 2015 French Open final.
To that end, Willis will be going back out on the tour next year, having already worked out a plan with Henderson.
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“As I was playing, I was thinking about the match”, Federer said. He couldn’t get through me.
