Wimbledon 2016: Almost retired ‘loser’ Marcus Willis faces Roger Federer

In the aftermath of the EU referendum, the United Kingdom finds itself divided. English Prime Minister David Cameron resigned and financial markets nosedived, devaluing the pound to 30-year lows in the currency market.

A nation of football lovers, English sports fans sought respite by fully casting their minds to the European Championship, where their team was meant to ease past Iceland in the second round Monday.

But even that didn’t happen. England fell 2-1 in one of its most humiliating defeats, with veteran manager Roy Hodgson having no choice but to step down himself.

Now that a little more time will be devoted to tennis in England’s dozen daily national newspapers – given the Three Lions’ failure to roar in France – the tale of Marcus Willis is set to snowball, bringing cheer to a wider audience.

British qualifier Marcus Willis, ranked 772 in the world, caused a remarkable upset on the opening day of Wimbledon 2016.

Willis celebrates with his mother after a straight-sets victory over world No. 54 Ricardas Berankis in his first senior appearance at the grass-court tournament.

Having earned less than $300 in prize money this year, he has guaranteed himself at least $65,000 from this tournament alone.

The 25-year-old, backed by a rowdy home contingent on court 17, had been set to retire from professional tennis. Instead, he saved 19 of 20 break points to beat the highest-ranked Lithuanian tennis player of all time, prompting his mother to brand him the "Jamie Vardy of tennis" -- referring to the Leicester soccer star.

From obscurity to stardom, Willis will next face all-time great Roger Federer, which he described to reporters as "a dream come true."

While Willis earned a place in the main draw by winning six qualifying rounds, seven-time champion Federer won his opening match in three sets.

Willis is not the first Brit to stun the tennis world at Wimbledon. A comparable fairytale in 2001 saw Barry Cowan take to the court against legendary Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras. Bravely battling back from two sets down to force a decider, Cowan may not have won, but his story will surely inspire a new hero at the All England Club.

Back in 2008, the future seemed bright for Willis -- who reached the third round of the boys' event at Wimbledon. He lost to Australian Bernard Tomic, who is now ranked 19th in the world.

Earlier that year, Willis lost in the boys' final at London's Queen's Club.

Wimbledon 2016: Lowly ranked qualifier Marcus Willis turns into hero

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The feelgood factor surrounding Willis at Wimbledon has caught the eye of his next opponent Roger Federer, in a year when match fixing and doping scandals have damaged tennis’ reputation.

“I think it’s one of the best stories in a long time in our sport, other than (Novak) Djokovic winning slams, Rafa (Nadal) doing a good comeback, and (Andy) Murray playing great,” tennis great Federer told reporters, citing his fellow “Big Four” members.

Read: The numbers that define Federer

“This is the kind of story we need in our sport. I think it’s a great, great story.”

On Monday, Willis became the lowest-ranked qualifier – at 772 in the world – to win a match at a major since No. 923 Jared Palmer at the 1988 U.S. Open.

Third seed Federer and Willis are expected to battle in round two Wednesday, on either center court or the second-largest arena, court 1.

“I have followed it actually before I even saw him in my section of the draw,” said Federer, the men’s record 17-time grand slam winner.

Many down-in-the-dumps athletes rise to get their 10 seconds of fame, but Willis’ narrative is exceptional.

The 25-year-old didn’t receive a wildcard but instead had to go through two qualifying tournaments and six matches to land in the singles field of 128. His victory over former junior No. 1 Ricardas Berankis on a heaving Court 17 marked his first match at the highest level of tennis’ three professional tiers.

He seriously considered quitting professional tennis this year to coach full time in the U.S. but was convinced to keep on chugging by his new girlfriend, Jennifer.

READ: Sharapova banned two years

A dentist, she initially thought watching Willis’ match Monday would be impossible. An equipment malfunction, however, allowed her to leave work and catch his straight-set dismantling of Berankis.

Roger Federer is the most successful men's player of the professional tennis era, with 17 grand slam titles to his name.

The 34-year-old has played in more grand slam finals -- 27 -- than any other male player in the Open Era.

Federer has spent a record 302 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings during his career, last holding top spot in November 2012.

He is one of only eight male players to have won all four grand slam titles, and has reached the final of each major tournament at least five times.

In 2012, Federer won a record-equaling seventh Wimbledon title, matching his childhood hero Pete Sampras and 1880s star William Renshaw.

Ahead of Wimbledon 2016, Federer had won 1,075 career matches since his pro debut in 1998, with 244 defeats, from 348 tournaments entered.

Federer is hoping to become the second tennis player after Novak Djokovic to crack $100 million in career prize money -- he had $98,148,225 ahead of Wimbledon 2016.

Federer won the U.S. Open five years in a row from 2004 but has not triumphed in New York since -- though he was runner-up in 2009 and 2015.

He has also experienced success on the blue hard-courts of Melbourne, winning the Australian Open on four occasions.

He won his only French Open in 2009, despite the interference of a court invader in the final. Federer had lost the previous three title matches at Roland Garros, and would suffer defeat on the famous red clay again in 2011 -- each time against his old rival Rafael Nadal.

Federer has won the season-ending ATP championship a record six times.

Two of those have come since the ATP finals switched to London in 2009, though Federer has been beaten in three of the past four title matches by Djokovic.

Of his 88 singles titles, Federer has won his home Swiss Indoors event in Basel -- where he used to be a ball boy -- a record seven times.

Federer has won one Olympic gold medal -- in doubles with Swiss partner Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Olympics.

Four years later, he had to settle for silver after being beaten by Andy Murray, left, in the London men's singles final.

Federer has won the Davis Cup once, helping Switzerland beat France in the 2014 final of the prestigious international team tournament.

He was recognized by his fellow pros after serving as president of the ATP Player Council from 2008-2014.

Federer has four children -- two sets of twins -- with wife Mirka, pictured pregnant in 2009 after the Swiss player won Wimbledon for the sixth time.

His daughters are often seen at tournaments -- here with their mother, herself a former tennis pro, in Madrid in 2013. The boys, born in 2014, also accompany the family on tour.

Roger Federer: A glittering career in numbers

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Pocketing $95,000 in his career prior to Wimbledon – he had earned a mere $300 this year after sustaining injuries – he still lives with his parents.

“I was a bit of a loser,” Willis told reporters. “I was overweight. I just looked myself in the mirror, I said, ‘You’re better than this.’”

A talented junior, he reached 15th in the boys’ rankings but was sent home from the Australian Open in 2008 for missing a practice.

“I was bigged up a lot. Then I got dropped in the real world. Played a few years in Romania, losing. I lost a lot of confidence. Made some bad decisions. Went out too much. Lifestyle wasn’t good. Yeah, didn’t have the drive. I found it three years ago.”

Every match day in qualifying and the main draw, Willis has checked out of his hotel, not knowing if he would continue the improbable journey. But he has, and isn’t about to alter his dinner meal of “tomato, pepper pasta” with “added chicken on.”

Perhaps a lot of extra chicken. He has been dubbed “Cartman,” a reference to the pudgy animated character on television show “South Park” – and doesn’t mind.

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He danced to songs Monday on court, had no hesitation light-heartedly stirring up the crowd, and he possesses an unorthodox game to boot. Willis slices his forehand periodically and isn’t averse to serve-and-volleying in an era when such a tactic is becoming extinct.

“Marcus is a comedian – he’s the funniest guy on the tour, I think,” compatriot Liam Broady told reporters.

“(When) I played him in the States, he was drinking Pepsis on the court, eating Snickers on the court. That’s when he got the nickname Cartman. He lives up to it.”

His favorite clothes shops? A paradox. They come from budget chain Primark – but also Calvin Klein.

“He’s a good guy, friendly, harmless,” fellow British player Dan Evans, who like Willis is talented but has been disciplined because of his behavior by governing body the Lawn Tennis Association, told reporters. “Not a bad bone really. He’s a bit of a clown. What you see is what you get with him.

Read: Federer, Djokovic win Wimbledon openers

“He’s not putting anything on, on court, when he’s talking. That’s him. He’s just a bit of a joker, just enjoys himself.”

Willis coaches all age groups part time at the Warwick Boat Club near Birmingham in central England to supplement his income, and they have been rooting him on.

“He is a fun-loving sort of guy,” club administrator Louise Street told CNN. “He’s been a breath of fresh air here. He motivates people. Your coaching sessions with him are lively and good fun and he has a lovely nature on court. He’s good with all abilities.

“Not only is he good on court, he’s a good communicator, he’s good with people. There has been a lot of excitement at the club. He played out of his skin Monday and we can’t wait to watch him play Federer.”

The dream tussle with Federer evokes memories of Barry Cowan’s tilt with then four-time defending Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in 2001.

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Updated 2:06 PM EDT, Wed June 29, 2016

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Ranked 265th, the lefty extended Sampras to five sets in the second round after dropping the first two. He listened to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” – the anthem of his favorite football team Liverpool – during changeovers for inspiration.

Willis is also a left-hander who supports the Reds.

“He’ll be stepping into the unknown,” Cowan told CNN. “I was cool, calm the day before the match, the morning of the match, physically I felt great. I was walking to court 1 and there’s a tunnel. I was walking ahead of Sampras and then it was like, ‘Oh, do I have to do this?’ I was petrified.

“But of course there’s no turning back. I’m sure there’ll be a little bit of that with Marcus but as soon as you hit a few balls and settle down, you win your first service game, life is a little easier.”

Read: Five players to watch at Wimbledon

Willis will be the second-lowest-ranked player Federer has encountered at a grand slam after world No. 1,370 Devon Britton in the first round of the U.S. Open in 2009, so a win for the Brit would arguably be a bigger upset than Iceland eliminating England. He is guaranteed to collect $66,000 even if he loses Wednesday.

But Willis won’t need to defeat Federer to have earned a place in the public’s heart in an uncertain time in Britain.

“The money will help him travel and try to get closer to the top 100,” Cowan said. “But he’s not thinking about the money tomorrow. He’s thinking how great of an experience it’s going to be to play, right now, the best ever.”

Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki continued her difficult start to 2016, losing her opening match at Wimbledon Tuesday.

The Dane lost 7-5 6-4 on Centre Court to Russian 13th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, who next faces Tara Moore. The Hong Kong-born Brit is in the second round of a grand slam for the first time after beating Belgium's Alison van Uytvanck 6-3 6-2.

Wozniacki's friend Serena Williams had few problems in reaching round two, as the defending champion dispatched Switzerland's Amra Sadikov 6-2 6-4 on Centre Court to set up a clash with American Christina McHale.

In men's action, home hope Andy Murray began his bid for a second title on the hallowed grass courts with a straight-sets victory.

The second seed beat Liam Broady (pictured) as the 2013 champion faced his first all-British clash in his 11th appearance at SW19. Murray will next face Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei.

Australian 15th seed Nick Kyrgios showcased both sides of his game with a lobbed "tweener" -- surely a contender for shot of the tournament -- followed by a code violation. Though 37-year-old opponent Radek Stepanek had soccer star Petr Cech cheering him on, Kyrgios -- just 21 -- won in four sets.

Kyrgios will play Dustin Brown in a second-round match that promises plenty of entertainment. The German wildcard, who shocked Rafael Nadal last year, delighted fans as he came from behind to beat Serbia's Dusan Lajovic in five sets.

Swiss fourth seed Stan Wawrinka set up an intriguing second-round clash with Juan Martin del Potro as he beat young American Taylor Fritz despite losing the first set. Injury-plagued former U.S. Open champion Del Potro, playing his first grand slam match since January 2014, defeated French veteran Stephane Robert.

Wimbledon 2016: Wozniacki out; Wawrinka to play Del Potro

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No problems for Murray

Britain’s best player in the Open Era, Andy Murray, tweeted in joy after Willis prevailed Monday.

The Scot, champion here in 2013, won his opener Tuesday against Broady 6-2 6-3 6-4.

The world No. 2 was joined in the second round by another two-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka, Australian 15th seed Nick Kyrgios and 2009 U.S. Open winner Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentine, whose career has been ravaged by repeated wrist injuries, plays Wawrinka in round two.

Women’s defending champion Serena Williams ousted Switzerland’s Amra Sadikovic 6-2 6-4.

Play, however, was abandoned on outer courts after 6 p.m. local time because of rain.

Does Willis have a chance of upsetting Federer? Have your say on CNN’s Sport Facebook page

Get more Wimbledon news at cnn.com/tennis

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Updated 2:06 PM EDT, Wed June 29, 2016

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