An Interview with Marcus Willis

When and how did you start playing tennis?
I played badminton first from the age of 5, as my Mum played too  I started playing tennis at the age of 9.  I enjoyed the Mini tennis and my Mum coached it too.

What is your career highlight to date?
I have many but I have to say playing Federer in the second round at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships was very special!  A real career highlight!

What do you enjoy about the game?
I feel that every time I play or train,  there is I always something I can do better – something to improve on.  I am very competitive and tell myself I can always learn something and improve my game.

Who is your tennis hero or sporting inspiration?
Rafa Nadel was always my hero when I was growing up – I loved his energy.  Then Roger Federer – of course!  I love sport – and thoroughly enjoy Sports Personality of the Year and seeing so many sporting heros and successes.

What advice/tips would you give a talented young player to succeed?
It is not always about results.  It is about working hard everyday and also having success in everyday life.  It is about being the best you can be on that day.  Setting yourself certain target each day.  Work hard and keep going!  Take time to stretch too! 

Why Warwick Boat Club?
I am actually from Berkshire but my wife lived in Warwick so I moved here.  I met Gavin Henderson, who introduced me to the Boat Club – it is such a great club and I have met so many great people.  A special place to play tennis!

What is the typical day in the life of Marcus Willis?
It depends if it is in or out of season and whether I have a tournament.   I do a lot of fitness including weights and time on the peloton with a trainer in London;  I do a lot of stretching; I eat well; I practice twice a day: I get myself organised for everything and I also find time to chill out.

You have a busy family life – how do you chill out?
I am a big Liverpool football fan so support them and I also watch Eastenders!

How will you spend the next three weeks up to the Australian Open?
I fly to Brisbane on Boxing Day to play doubles in the ATP tournament as a warm- up.  Then we will be training and preparing in Melbourne.

What’s your favourite meal?
I love to cook, and I would say my favourites are chicken and/or steak with vegetables.  I like fajitas and sushi too!

What’s your best tennis shot?
I would say the lob.

What was so special about your Wimbledon experiences?
I watched Wimbledon as a child in the summer – in the days of Henman and Rusedski.  I have enjoyed being at Wimbledon with friends and family.  It is such a special place!  So many great memories.

Who have been your biggest support in your tennis career?
My parents, my wife Jenny and the whole family.  Sponsorship too has helped me achieve what I have so far.  I could not have achieved any of my successes without them – no way could I have done this on my own.

If you hadn’t been a tennis player, what do you think you would have done?
Definitely something in sport – I couldn’t sit still as a youngster!  Another dream was to be a footballer.

So very exciting news about being in the draw with Cam Norrie for the men’s doubles in the Australian Open – how will you prepare?
Cam and me playing together is a new partnership and it is unusual for Cam to play doubles.  But I am very excited about it!  We will be preparing and training when we are in Australia together and we have an ATP tournament in Brisbane too.

What is your favourite Christmas movie?
Elf!

Who has been your best coach?
Victor was a great coach for me for 7/8 years when I was between 10 and 17 years old.  He had such a positive impact on me both on and off the court.  Matt Smith from Liverpool was another inspirational coach for me when I was between 23 and 25 years old. 

Thank you Marcus for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to me.  On behalf of  everyone at Warwick Boat Club, we wish you – and Cam – all the very best at the Australian Open.

 

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