Andy Murray: Nice guy Marcus Willis shouldn't quit tennis after SW19 fairytale
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ByEurosport
Updated 29/06/2016 at 09:39 GMT
Marcus Willis has too much to offer tennis to quit the sport after Wimbledon, according to British number one Andy Murray.
Britain's Marcus Willis wears a hat given to him by a spectator as he celebrates winning his match against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis.
Image credit: Eurosport
The world number two and 2013 champion believes the world number 772 Willis, 25, should be proud of himself by qualifying and upsetting world number 54 Ricardas Berankis 6-3,6-3,6-4 in the first round to earn a tillt at seven-times champion Roger Federer in the second round.
Willis - third on Centre Court against the Swiss later this afternoon - is due to collect £50,000 even if he loses to Federer.
It comes only weeks after he considering retiring as a player to take up a coaching role in America.
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Marcus Willis, pictured, has been tipped to cause Roger Federer problems on Wimbledon's centre court
Image credit: PA Sport
"I think sport can play a role in taking people's minds off more serious matters and Marcus Willis' story would make anyone feel good," said Murray on the BBC.
"For the world number 772 to be playing Roger Federer, arguably the best male player ever, on Centre Court at Wimbledon is amazing.
"It's just a great story that's happened to a really good fun guy, and it's nice that the public seem to have taken to him. If he was an absolute prat I'm sure some people would just think, 'He's an idiot, I'm not interested', but he's definitely the kind of person who deserves this moment.
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Britain's Andy Murray salutes the crowd after beating Britain's Liam Broady during their men's singles first round match on the second day of the 2016 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28,
Image credit: AFP
"I haven't seen Marcus much over the last four or five years, but whenever I've spent any time with him, he just makes you smile and laugh. I don't know anyone that doesn't like him.
"So I hope he enjoys the experience on Wednesday but also that he keeps on playing beyond Wimbledon.
"He's proved over the last 10 days that if he can maintain this motivation and concentration over a whole season, there's no reason he can't be playing at this level a little bit more often."
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