Marcus Willis returns to the All England Club as a doubles specialist, partnering David Stevenson in Wednesday’s opening match. Ten years after his viral 2016 Centre Court shot that knocked Roger Federer off balance, the 35‑year‑old Briton now sits 64th in the world rankings. The pair face former world No 1 Joe Salisbury and Ariel Behar, marking Willis’s first main‑draw appearance since his lone singles run.

Willis’s 2016 run captured the nation, earning the BBC’s Shot of the Tournament and a brief flood of media requests after a 6‑0 6‑3 6‑4 defeat. He earned only £220 that season and was urged by his girlfriend to stay on tour. The experience brought short‑term fame but quickly faded, leaving him to wrestle injuries and a mental‑health break in 2018.

Now a father of four, Willis balances court work with family duties, a podcast titled “What You Talking About Willis?” and occasional Liverpool matches. He says the Federer episode shaped his mindset but no longer defines his career. With a more relaxed lifestyle, he aims to extend his doubles run as long as his body permits, treating each match as a personal test.