Just months ago Willis was considering calling time on a tennis career that appeared to be going nowhere after he squandered his early potential.
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Ranked 772nd in the world, the Warwick tennis coach came through six rounds of qualifying, saw off Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis on his debut at the world’s most famous tennis tournament and became the nation’s new favourite underdog.
“I wanted the cooler experience for him”, Federer said.
A leading London casting director told Wimbledon.com that someone like Rafe Spall, Dan Stevens or even James Corden could fit the bill to play the left-hander, who says he has lost 25kgs in recent years.
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. “I served well. Probably won’t realise how well I played until I watch it myself”. I’ve got to prepare like I’ve got a chance to win.
“Sometimes I feel like these players lose sight of how important practice is”.
Fellow Brit and close friend Dan Evans also booked his place in the second round thanks to a 3-2 victory over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in three hours and 17 minutes, which was his first ever win in the men’s singles at Wimbledon.
The seven-times champion enjoys too much deep-rooted affection at the All England Club to be cast as a real pantomime villain, but for once the cheers were all behind the 25-year-old local hero on the other side of the net.
Willis walked out with a white bandana on his head, just like Federer.
Evans, whose ranking will climb from 91 into the top 80, said: “I t was just really hard”.
But the $63,000 he earned for his magical run will ease the burden of a player who took to the court even wearing a shirt bearing Federer’s “RG” monogram. I’m not going to go out there to be just another guy he rolls.
After the match I met Carl Froch for the first time face to face, having spoken to him on the radio a couple of times before, and I always get something out of meeting boxers. “Next Wednesday might be quite different”.
“I believe he can make big strides but then again, don’t forget the challengers are brutal, so are the futures”, Federer said.
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“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing, I’m never going to come through pre-qualies, qualifying and play Roger Federer on Centre under the roof with screaming fans everywhere”. It’s another match, like I said.
