LONDON -- Marcus Willis, a 25-year-old who makes a living giving tennis lessons while residing with his parents, needs to find a substitute teacher for the second time this week.
And he couldn't be happier.
Willis' 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over 54th-ranked Ricardo Berankis before a supportive and singing crowd of fellow Brits at tiny Court 17 was the most intriguing development on Day 1 at the All England Club.
There were ho-hum straight-set victories for past Wimbledon champions Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams, for example, and a half-dozen exits by lower-seeded players.
Willis, a left-hander ranked 772nd in the world, became the lowest-ranked qualifier to reach the second round at any major since No. 923 Jared Palmer at the 1988 U.S. Open.
"One of the best stories in a long time in our sport," said Federer, who beat Guido Pella 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-3 in his return to Grand Slam tennis after missing the French Open with a bad back.
Willis' take on his surprising success: "This doesn't happen, really."
So how did it happen?
Willis appeared to be an up-and-coming junior player, reaching the third round of the Wimbledon boys' tournament in 2007 and 2008, but injuries and what he describes as a lack of dedication derailed his career.
"Tore my hamstring twice. Hurt my knee earlier this year. Had a bit of a rough phase. I was down, struggling to get out of bed in the morning," Willis said. "I was a bit of a loser. I was overweight. I just looked myself in the mirror (and) said, 'You're better than this.' "
He says he was close to abandoning hope of a pro career, considering a move to Philadelphia to teach tennis, when his new girlfriend told him to keep trying to play.
"I met the girl. She told me not to (quit), so I didn't," Willis said with a smile. "Do what I'm told."
Fast-forward to this month, when he was the last man invited to participate in a playoff for British players to earn a wild card into Wimbledon qualifying. Willis won three matches there, then another three in qualifying to get into the main draw.
And then the serve-and-volleyer defeated Berankis by saving 19 of 20 break points and hitting 14 aces while using what he describes as an "unorthodox" mix of spins. Afterward, Willis raced to the stands to kiss his girlfriend before being swallowed by a group hug from a bunch of longtime friends.
By getting to the second round, Willis is guaranteed at least 50,000 pounds (about $65,000). Not bad for someone who makes $40 an hour giving lessons and whose prize money in 2016 had been about $350 -- and that figure includes singles and doubles.
His career earnings when he arrived at Wimbledon were under $100,000.
"I've got to understand it's not going to be like this every week. The reality of the tour -- it's brutal. It's cutthroat," said Willis, who makes $40 an hour teaching kids at Warwick Club in central England. "I want to be a top-100 tennis player. I want this, week-in and week-out. It's going to take a lot of hard work, and I've got a lot of improving to do as well."
Next up is Federer, whose record 17 Grand Slam titles include a record-tying seven at the All England Club.
"I'm not sure he can play on grass," Willis said with a perfect deadpan delivery.
Then he continued: "I get to play on a stadium court. This is what I dreamed of when I was younger. I'm going to go out there and try to win the tennis match. I probably won't. I might not."
Sports on 06/28/2016