Marcus Willis, who became the toast of last year’s Wimbledon when he earned a Centre Court showdown with Roger Federer, is to appear at this year’s Liverpool Hope International Tennis Tournament.
Willis captured the hearts of Merseysiders during his triumphant Wimbledon run when he refused a £15,000 windfall from The Sun newspaper because he is a Liverpool FC fan.
Willis was a world number 772 who had earned just £220 in prize money in 2016 when he beat Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis to earn his clash with Federer.
“This is my first year competing in Liverpool but after my dream run at Wimbledon last year I believe Liverpool is the perfect place to kick off my 2017 grass court season.
“I have heard nothing but great things about the organisation and the way Anders runs things and I am very excited as a Liverpool fan to make my professional debut in Liverpool in front of world class sporting fans.”
– MARCUS WILLIS
“Marcus is a fantastic person and a great player in particular on grass and we very much look forward to have him in Liverpool.
“I am sure we will organise a trip to Anfield for him during his stay in the city.”
– ANDERS BORG, LIVERPOOL HOPE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
The Liverpool Hope International tennis Tournament is in its 16th year and has grown into the longest running and largest tennis exhibition in Europe – featuring ATP and WTA players warming up for Wimbledon in addition to the ever popular legends of tennis.
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