Wimbledon 2016: Marcus Willis has the talent, he just needs to knuckle down, says Roger Federer

Willis waves as he leaves the court with Federer after the Swiss won their men's singles second round match on the third day
GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
Giuseppe Muro30 June 2016

Roger Federer and John McEnroe have urged Marcus Willis to use his success at Wimbledon as a platform to continue his rise up the rankings.

Willis is expected to climb from 772 to around 425 in the world following his remarkable run to the second round, where he was beaten 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 by Federer yesterday.

The 25-year-old, who came through six rounds of qualifying, wants to reach the top 100 and has been encouraged by Wimbledon champions Federer and McEnroe to make the most of his talent.

Federer believes Willis can continue to improve if he knuckles down and believes the best thing for him now is to go away and work at his game on the practice court.

That is something the left-hander, who reached a career high of 322 in the world two years ago, has acknowledged and he does not intend to go straight back on to the tour.

McEnroe also feels it is up to Willis, who has struggled to keep his weight down, to improve on his fitness and movement on the court. But both Federer and McEnroe feel the Brit can have a future in the sport.

“I believe he can make big strides but when you are between 200 and 700 it is a big step getting out of that because the Challengers and the Futures tour are brutal,” said Federer.

“Sometimes I feel like these players lose sight of how important practice is. You can play matches every week on tour and it is misleading sometimes because you think, ‘Next week could be my breakthrough, next week could be my breakthrough…’

“You just keep on plugging away and you hope but that is not how you are going to improve.

“A few years go by and you can lose interest because you have not been looking at the bigger picture.

Wimbledon 2016 - In pictures

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“Getting the right schedule is important and getting the right team for practice. Listen to good advice, put your head down, work hard and enjoy it while you can because it runs away very quickly.

“What I like about his game is he reads it well. He knows when you are coming in, he can slice easily, he chips well, he has a nice serve and is solid at the net.

“I think for him it is a question of just, day in and day out, wanting it.”

Willis was on the verge of giving up playing and moving to America to coach at the start of the year.

Now it is up to him to show he can perform away from the spotlight of Wimbledon. McEnroe said: “I hope he does stick with it, commit and see what he has got.

“It is easy to get fired up when you are playing against Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

“Obviously the fitness has been an issue and his movement is an issue. These days it is about movement and athleticism.

“He has got to be able to move on slower, harder courts. But this should [give him] some inspiration to get as fit as possible.

“He has got an ability to make different shots, he is good at the net and he has good hands. He could get fitter, let’s hope he works on that for starters. As long as you do the best you can and maximise what you have got, then you can only feel pride.”

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