MARCUS WILLIS will be playing doubles at Warwick Boat Club tomorrow night — no matter how much of a runaround he is given by Roger Federer.
The world No 772 will step out at Wimbledon this afternoon to face the Swiss legend in a fairytale clash.
But he has told doubles partner Gavin Henderson to expect him back for duty against Coventry and North Warwick at the club where he is reviving his career.
Forget the £50,000 he can add to this year’s £269 in prize money for defeating Ricardas Berankis in the first round at SW19, part-time coach Willis, 25, offers an enriching reminder of what sport is all about after England’s humiliation by Iceland in Euro 2016.
Henderson, the tennis manager at Warwick Boat Club, said: “Marcus can put a smile back on sports fans’ faces.
“These overpaid footballers don’t have anything to play for, no pride or passion, but Marcus’ is a wonderful heart-on-your-sleeve story.
“He’s not playing for money, he’s playing to win at Wimbledon. But he has told me he’ll be back to play alongside me in the doubles at Binley Road.
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“I’m sure I’ll have to carry him. But he wants to win the Coventry League and we’re only three points behind Hampton-in-Arden.”
All 11 tennis courts were full yesterday morning at the quaint sports club where Willis works two days a week alongside the river Avon, underneath Warwick Castle.
Peter Grant, the tennis captain, anticipates around 200 people will flood in today to play tennis, bowls, compete in a corporate dragon boat racing event and watch their new-found hero on the large-screen TV in the bar.
Willis joined the club in March after moving up to Norton Lindsey from Berkshire to be with girlfriend Jennifer Bate.
Grant said: “Marcus is a very good player — he serves at 130 miles per hour which just shoots off the grass.
“He’ll be very tricky to play against but Federer is a class act, of course.
“For Marcus to get a set would be amazing.”
Willis will play an exhibition match at Warwick Boat Club this Saturday 3-4pm.
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