Fat Willis

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/81521581/world-no-772-and-parttime-coach-marcus-willis-wins-in-wimbledon-dreamland'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/81521581/world-no-772-and-parttime-coach-marcus-willis-wins-in-wimbledon-dreamland</a>
 
For a man whose singles prize money this year had not topped US$300, to have won in the first round at Wimbledon is nothing short of a miracle. For him to face Roger Federer in the next round is pure dreamland.
British world 772 Marcus Willis earned himself a place in Wimbledon folklore and a spot in fans' hearts by beating Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis, ranked 718 places above him, 6-3 6-3 6-4, sending the Court 17 crowd into utter delirium.
On a day with little to cheer for home fans, Willis, who had to come through two rounds of qualifying, took to the court against the world number 54 like he owned it.
This from a man who described himself as a "loser" and a "fat boy" who had to get himself in shape, who coaches at Â£30 pounds (NZ$57) an hour to pay the bills and had to be persuaded by his girlfriend not to jack it all in.
 
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Great story. He'll be able to tell his grandkids he played the mighty Federer at Wimbledon.

Hooroo

So cool!
 
He will get minimum 50k stirling after that win.

No Quarter

I've heard the majority of Tennis players really struggle financially and have to pay their own way around the various competitions. It's only the very top players that actually do well out of it.
 
Well done that man. Looking at the thread title I thought this was about a fat piston wristed gibbon not someone actually called Willis. Oh Nick, the flow on effects of your favourite hobby has tarred all other Willis' on the Fern.

Godder

Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?

Chris B.

Not surprisingly Fat Willis didn't progress vs Roger - took seven games of him, though - 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 if my memory is correct.
 
Marina Erakovic won her first round match - 10-8 in the third and will play Jelena Jankovic in Round 2.
 
Three NZ men in the men's doubles and two also in the mixed doubles. Michael Venus and his Croat partner are actually seeded 16th in men's doubles.

Provincial Stalwart

Willis was wearing a Rog branded shirt. Maybe the Fed loaned the shirt to him as Willis' other one got shepherd's pie on it last night.

Bovidae

Just as well Fed won in 3 sets as Willis was clearly getting better! :mocking:

mariner4life

Fed is classy as fuck, his comments after were great, and it appears, despite winning, he just slipped away in to the background and let the lad have his moment.

Damo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="592527" data-time="1467072388">
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I've heard the majority of Tennis players really struggle financially and have to pay their own way around the various competitions. It's only the very top players that actually do well out of it.
 
 
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Yep I have heard that as well. 
 
The most obvious comparison is to golf. A player ranked 100 in tennis is a pauper, whereas a player ranked 100 in golf does very well for himself. 
 
The lack of prizemoney in lower ranked tennis tournaments was cited as a reason for why match fixing is a very big issue in tennis. The temptation to throw a few games to make enough money to survive is often too great.

Crazy Horse

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="592527" data-time="1467072388">
I've heard the majority of Tennis players really struggle financially and have to pay their own way around the various competitions. It's only the very top players that actually do well out of it. </blockquote>
 
I can confirm this 100%. The lack of money in tennis caused me to throw it away. In 1983 I won the Burwood Tennis Club Under 13s competition and I only got about $5 for my efforts. How is a kid supposed to survive on that?

Chris B.

Marina beat Jankovic (23 seed) in her 2nd round match, but lost in the third round to Suarez-Navarro (12th seed). Pretty good effort, considering she also won three matches in qualifying.
 
She picks up about NZ$150K for that effort, so it's not all bad.
 
She's got career prize money earnings of more than US$2 million, so while she might not be set up for life, it's probably been worth her while.
 
In other, bigger news, Stan Wawrinka was ousted by Juan Martin Del Potro - might not be completely surprising, Del Potro wouldn't be someone I'd want to see in my part of the draw.
 
Maybe even bigger news, Sam Querrey is leading the Djok by two sets to love - rain stopped play. Querrey won the second set 6-1, so maybe the Djok can see his Grand Slam sliding away. I'd say the rain is definitely helping Novak!

booboo

I see there is a Nick who is acting the complete Willis at Wimbledon. What a (cock)womble. When a bloke can make Tomic seem likeable by comparison you'd think he'd take a long hard look at himself.

nostrildamus

Back on Fat Willis, he actually isn't that bad a player.

The Silver Fern

Fat Willis