On Thursday, British tennis player Marcus Willis returned to Wimbledon, competing in men’s doubles with his partner Jay Clarke. Willis, known for facing Roger Federer at Centre Court in 2016 while ranked 772nd, expressed gratitude for receiving a wild-card entry this year.

In 2016, Willis made headlines by going from a low-ranked player to competing against Federer at Wimbledon after winning multiple matches in the qualifiers. Though he lost to Federer, it remains a memorable experience for him.

Willis, now 33 years old, had taken a break from tennis during the pandemic due to limited playing opportunities. However, he later returned to the sport, focusing on doubles matches and currently ranks 96th in doubles.

Reflecting on his career, Willis mentioned financial struggles and the need to provide for his family, which led to his temporary retirement. With a newfound determination, his goal is to improve his doubles ranking and qualify for the Australian Open.

Despite the challenges, Willis remains optimistic and proud of his progress. He is also set to compete in mixed doubles at Wimbledon and could potentially face top players like Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu in the next round.

Looking back on his journey, Willis acknowledged the ups and downs, describing his life as “crazy” but emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the present moment.