SECOND CHANCE FOR SPRUCE WILLIS

Wimbledon folk hero is relishing his return

- Neil McLeman

MARCUS WILLIS went from playing Roger Federer at Wimbledon to retiring and laying bricks during lockdown.

Now the 33-year-old, who is in the best shape of his career, has been invited back to SW19 after cracking the world's doubles top 100 for the first time.

A "Marriage, two kids, retirement, coaching, back out I have packed a lot in over the last eight years." laughing Willis said: Back in 2016, the then world singles No.772 achieved folkhero status by winning six matches in qualifying including beating future stars Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev before facing Federer on Centre Court.

The left-hander lost 6-0 6-3 6-4 but won the hearts of the nation and produced a running backhand lob over the Swiss superstar which was voted shot of the tournament.

"It is nice for me to hear even now people say they were there or where they were watching that match," he said. "It was an amazing story at the time. But it seems like a lifetime ago."