Wimbledon 2016: Marcus Willis hails ‘incredible’ experience of facing Roger Federer despite ‘getting duffed up’

World No 772 is the darling of the Centre Court crowd as his extraordinary run is ended by Swiss legend

Marcus Willis enjoyed his Centre Court debut (Getty)

Marcus Willis’ extraordinary run came to an end, but a smile barely left his face. Andy Murray had told Willis to enjoy his meeting on Centre Court with Roger Federer and the world No 772 relished every second of it. Willis played some fine tennis, too, before the seven-times Wimbledon champion won 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 after an hour and 25 minutes that the 25-year-old Briton will never forget.

Willis was smiling from the moment he walked out on to the most famous stage in tennis ahead of the greatest player in history. He clenched his fist in celebration after winning his first point, raised his arms in the air after hitting spectacular winners and stood with his arms outstretched when he finally won a game at the eighth attempt. He even held his arms aloft to celebrate successful Hawk-Eye challenges.

The Centre Court crowd loved it. Their raucous backing for a player who had had to win seven matches to get this far helped to create a wonderful atmosphere under the roof, which had been closed because of rain.

“It was incredible,” Willis said afterwards. “It was all just a blur. It was amazing. I did enjoy myself even though I was getting duffed up. I loved every bit of it. Not the duffing bit. I loved getting stuck in, fighting hard. The whole experience was incredible.”

Federer nearly always enjoys strong support from the British public, even when he is facing Murray, but joked afterwards: “I’m sure I got less support probably back in 1999 when I got a wild card on Court 8 and lost in five sets.

“He deserved more [support]. He played some great points. He fought hard. He has a great personality for a Centre Court like this. It wasn’t easy for him just to come out there and play a decent match. There was a lot of pressure on him as well. I thought he handled it great.”

While the result was never in any doubt, there were plenty of times when Willis had Federer on the back foot. From the second set onwards the Briton served beautifully, his tally of nine aces equalling Federer’s as the Swiss struggled to read where his opponent was putting the ball.

Marcus Willis rues a close miss during defeat to Roger Federer (Getty)

Willis played with his usual unorthodox mix of slices and spins. Even if his sliced forehands were regularly punished, there were many occasions when his deft drop shots and stop volleys won points, while a brilliant winning lob at the end of a thrilling rally in the first set brought the house down.

“I played a good point where I lobbed him,” Willis said with pride afterwards. “I can say I lobbed Roger Federer.”

Given the standard of his tennis it was hard to believe that Willis has spent the last six months coaching club members in Warwickshire, his last tournament appearance having been in a Futures event in Tunisia in January.

“I thought he got better as the match went on,” Federer said. “He fought, he tried, he hustled. What I like about his game is that he reads it well. He knows when you're coming in. He can slice easily, even really deep in the court. He chips it really well, cross court and down the line. He sees when it's short and he steps into the court and he goes for it.”

Willis, who has an “RF” Federer shirt, said that the Swiss had played some “ridiculous” tennis. He explained: “He makes you feel like you've got no time. He puts a lot of balls in the court on big points. You can't leave the ball anywhere short or high. It's just gone. The big points today he played ridiculously well.”

Federer had been intrigued by Willis’ story even before the draw and had congratulated him on his run when he saw him in the player restaurant here. The Swiss said he had gone into the match with the mindset that he was facing a top 60 player given Willis’ recent form.

When they walked out on court Federer suggested that Willis might like to go first, upon which the Briton was given a huge reception. Willis’ player box were regularly on their feet during the match, in contrast to Federer’s entourage, who sat sedately throughout.

Although Federer took the first set to love in just 24 minutes, Willis had had his chances, including a break point in the third game. The Briton milked the applause when he finally got on the scoreboard after the second game of the second set, which was decided by a single break of serve in the sixth game.

The third set was even tighter. When Federer served at 2-3 Willis had a point for a 4-2 lead, but the Swiss saved it with a smash. Three games later Federer broke to love and went on to serve out for the match.

Marcus Willis and Roger Federer exchange words at the end of the Centre Court match (Getty)

At the end Federer embraced Willis at the net. “I told him he played great and wished him the best for the rest of the year,” the world No 3 said – and then waited for the Briton to acknowledge the crowd’s applause before walking off with him. Willis, nevertheless, was in no hurry to leave and stayed signing autographs and posing for selfies.

Federer said it was an occasion that he would remember. “I'll remember most of the Centre Court matches here at Wimbledon, but this one will stand out because it's that special and probably not going to happen again for me to play against a guy 770 in the world,” he said. “That's what stands out the most for me, the support he got, the great points he played.”

When told of Federer’s comment, Willis said: “He was very kind. He was a true gent today, as he always is.”

Willis, who said that the post-match beer he enjoyed in the locker room had tasted “incredible”, was overwhelmed by the support he had enjoyed. “I get messages saying: ‘Thanks so much.’ I believe in myself now. It's nice to have that touch. People seem happy for me. People got behind me today. It's amazing.”

Although he does not know where he will play next, Willis added: “I want to be here. This is where I want to play tennis. I'm good enough. I have a lot to work on, a lot to improve, so that's exciting for me if I'm playing like this. If I have a lot to work on and improve, then it can be exciting.”