Wimbledon darling Marcus Willis turned down a £15,000 windfall from The S*n - because he is a Liverpool FC fan.
The world number 772 became the story of this year’s Wimbledon when he beat Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis in the first round to earn a Centre Court showdown with Roger Federer.
The 25-year-old from Wokingham was quickly embraced by the British crowd, prompting The S*n to try to cash in on his popularity by asking Willis to wear their branding on court.
The lifelong Reds fan refused.
Prior to Wimbledon Willis had earned just £220 in prize money this year from tennis - but the principled British number 23 was resolute.
He stepped onto court £15k lighter, with no branding, but enjoyed the richest experience of his tennis life against the greatest player the sport has ever seen.
He lost 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 but said afterwards: “If I’m playing quite well and competing with Roger Federer for a couple of sets, I’m doing the right thing.”
Federer, for his part, said he had approached the match as if his opponent was a top 50 player, “because that’s the level he was playing at”.
Willis’ prize money from this year’s tournament will enable him to pursue his tennis career a little longer.
The world number 772 became the story of this year’s Wimbledon when he beat Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis in the first round to earn a Centre Court showdown with Roger Federer.
The 25-year-old from Wokingham was quickly embraced by the British crowd, prompting The S*n to try to cash in on his popularity by asking Willis to wear their branding on court.
The lifelong Reds fan refused.
Prior to Wimbledon Willis had earned just £220 in prize money this year from tennis - but the principled British number 23 was resolute.
He stepped onto court £15k lighter, with no branding, but enjoyed the richest experience of his tennis life against the greatest player the sport has ever seen.
He lost 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 but said afterwards: “If I’m playing quite well and competing with Roger Federer for a couple of sets, I’m doing the right thing.”
Federer, for his part, said he had approached the match as if his opponent was a top 50 player, “because that’s the level he was playing at”.
Willis’ prize money from this year’s tournament will enable him to pursue his tennis career a little longer.
