Willis Goes From Teaching Pro To Wimbledon Main Draw

After receiving the last spot in the Wimbledon pre-qualifying draw, British wild card Marcus Willis has completed an improbable run to the main draw. He joined 15 other players who won their final-round qualifying matches on Friday, Day 5 of Wimbledon qualifying.

Willis, 25, is ranked No. 775 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, but punched well above his weight all week. After being unable to serve out his final-round qualifying match at 5-2 in the fourth set against Daniil Medvedev of Russia, he made good on his second chance and prevailed, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

“I’ve tried to find my own tennis over the past year, but it’s been very difficult. I got injured, twice, and I’m coaching [tennis] at the Warwick Boat Club alongside training,” said Willis to Wimbledon.com after his second-round qualifying win. “It’s a bit emotional. I’m playing lots of French and German League tennis, so I’m working very hard to earn some money.”

The guaranteed £30,000 he’ll take home for qualifying will be a major boost for Willis as he looks to get back on tour full-time as soon as possible.

“I’ve been…going unbeaten in league matches for a long time, so I’m confident in my game and playing more aggressively,” said Willis. “There’s no formula to greatness. I’m going to go again in January and I’m looking forward to it.”

Another surprise story is Albano Olivetti, ranked No. 794 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, who became the lowest-ranked player to qualify for a Grand Slam since Mark Knowles (No. 1,122) at Wimbledon in 1998. The Frenchman defeated British wild card Edward Corrie, 7-6(5), 7-6(4), 7-6(3). Olivetti returned to the tour in January after missing 19 months due to injury and used a protected ranking to get into this year’s tournament.

In other matches, No. 12 seed Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan won a #NextGen battle against No. 29 seed Quentin Halys of France, 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. The victory means that Nishioka has now made it into the main draw of every Grand Slam.

American Bjorn Fratangelo, the No. 6 seed, will participate in his first main draw at Wimbledon after defeating fellow American and No. 22 seed Austin Krajicek, 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3. Fratangelo led by two sets on Thursday when their match was called off due to rain, but he weathered an inspired comeback from his opponent to take the match. Fratangelo won his first Grand Slam main draw match last month at Roland Garros.

Another upset on Friday went to Australian Matthew Barton, who will make his Grand Slam main draw debut by defeating top seed and #NextGen star Karen Khachanov of Russia, 7-6(1), 6-7(1), 6-2, 6-3. The big serving 24-year-old hadn’t won a qualifying match at Wimbledon prior to this week.

Two other players also qualified for their maiden Grand Slam main draw. Franko Skugor of Croatia defeated No. 13 seed Gerald Melzer of Austria, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, while Tristan Lamasine of France defeated Mohamed Safwat of Egypt, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5.

Main draw action at Wimbledon begins on Monday. Visit here for full results and updated draws.