Tennis underdog Marcus Willis just became even more popular.
The £30-per-hour part-time tennis teacher had a fairytale week, battling through Wimbledon qualifiers and the first round to set up a dream match with arguably the greatest player of all time – Roger Federer – on Centre Court.
Willis – ranked 772 in the world – had earned just £258 in prize money all year prior to his run at Wimbledon, which will see him bank £50,000.
He could have been taking home an extra £15,000 this week, too, after The Sun stepped in and offered to sponsor him for his showdown with Federer.
According to Liverpool Echo, Willis – a lifelong Liverpool FC fan – turned the money down because he didn't want to be associated with the paper.
Willis lost his match with Federer – but hit nine aces against the legend in a match that will long live in Wimbledon folklore. The day after his defeat, Willis was back playing amateur-level tennis in Coventry.
You'll never walk alone, Marcus.
[via The Sport Bible]