Marcus Willis

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

Marcus Willis

indiana · Tennis legend

Good stuff.

Great that you are again so significantly helping Marcus in this way, Gary, and I really like such priorities as singles and and an increasing focus on challengers.

I hope he can make real advances again in 2015 as he did in 2013 ( but clearly now at a significantly higher level ) after a relative standstill in rankings progress in 2014.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Great to hear it, A1.

Well done to you for stepping up.

And all the best to Marcus, this could be an exciting year for him. As you say, Liam's big rise is a motivation to all those who were about the same level as him a year or so ago.

Good luck to you both.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Thank you Gary for supporting Marcus (and others) in this way. It would be good to see more sponsors coming forward to support players, particularly in the current climate of LTA funding cuts.

I don't see as much GB tennis as I would like, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching Marcus playing in his own unique style, in the Challengers towards the end of last year. I definitely think that is where he belongs.

Best wishes for the season ahead, Cartman.

Madeline · Admin:Moderator + Tennis Legend

What they said. I don't know what the LTA think they are doing, pulling the carpet out from under the feet of players who work hard and try to improve themselves. So short-sighted.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Very excited for Marcus particularly after his great run in the US challengers in the Autumn. He's obviously a talented tennis player and if he's put in the work off court you imply I am sure like Liam he will be rewarded.

emma · Strong Club Player

This is excellent news. really loved watching Marcus play last year. its always nice to see someone enjoying what they do too.

steven · Tennis legend

This is good news - well done to Gary for recognising the kind of potential and apparent effort that certain other funding organisations should be noticing too.

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

Nice to hear the positive comments it's all good for GB men's tennis which is definitely on the climb - Marcus is getting his head down hoping for a good run although it might take a few tournaments to gain some form and adjustment to new racquets morale is high !

BradMarx90 · County player

Interesting article here from an interesting fansite about Slimbomb. Clearly making an impact more than just on the Futures circuit. Are people starting to sit up and take notice?

http://lobandsmash.com/2015/09/10/marcus-willis-exciting-player-youve-never-heard/

RJA · Hall of fame

I like Marcus but to suggest that he is making an impact at any level other than futures is confusing hype with reality.

indiana · Tennis legend

Indeed I too like much that I see in Marcus's play and personality, and he did make a certain impact last year in US Challengers with his style of play and yes his ( now much reduced ) weight, largely because he was just different.

Be great though to see a whole lot more tennis substance in results and indeed some of his scheduling.

The weight loss hinted at a renewed purpose that I am in recent months somewhat unconvinced about how much is following through.

This year his tennis impact has been much less than I had hoped to see and actually thought that we might see. And time further moves on ...

Over the coming two weeks he has 19 ( 1 + 18 ) ranking points coming off. If he wasn't to add any he would be on 102 points, currently equivalent to WR 416. The ability is there to be considerably higher ranked, but there is much more involved in making that happen if he wants to make it happen.

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 13th of September 2015 02:41:25 PM

A1 tennis academy · Satellite level

Marcus when he started his A1 sponsorship nov 2012 he was 117 kg when he completed his 2 years sponsorship program he had gone from not winning a singles title in over 5 years to first singles title in 3 months & 6 within 2 years by end of 2014 he was down to 101 kg

credit to marcus since his sponsorship ended he's continued to work hard and weight down to new PB 92kg which with his heavy build is probably about right . Marcus has got all the tools to the job , he's a lovely lad and at A1 we wish him the best of luck . I hope A1 Pharmaceuticals 2 year sponsorship gave him

the kick start he needed and he can now move on to the next level ! Marcus is still a very popular member of the A1 Pharmaceuticals men's team and much to his credit he played a key role in the successful defence of our national Aegon men's team title . The future plan at A1 Pharmaceuticals LTC is to help support player funding with generous renumeration when playing national club league matches in their current 2 forms Aegon & premier indoors ( national doubles only competition founded by mike Dixon ) .

as the article pointed out Marcus variation and specialist shots with the right match up creates great entertainment compared with 2 closely matched even top 10 players

I have always advocated that given the right doubles partner Marcus could easily break into the top 100 doubles which was a key goal for me finding the right partner is not easy I certainly tried when 2 players have different schedules and a higher ranked player does not want to pair . I believe doubles is more of a future B plan although personally I would like to see Marcus with a regular doubles partner with a singles or doubles ranking 250 or better .

-- Edited by A1 tennis academy on Tuesday 15th of September 2015 07:57:51 AM

EddietheEagle · County player

A1 tennis academy wrote:
Marcus when he started his A1 sponsorship nov 2012 he was 117 kg when he completed his 2 years sponsorship program he had gone from not winning a singles title in over 5 years to first singles title in 3 months & 6 within 2 years by end of 2014 he was down to 101 kg
credit to marcus since his sponsorship ended he's continued to work hard and weight down to new PB 92kg which with his heavy build is probably about right .

As an aside, there are physios (with testing equipment) who can more accurately pimpoint optimum weight range for any individual relative to power/speed/strength requirements. Optimum weight for a tennis player may be lower than you think.

Clearly you have one of tennis's more interesting characters on your hands (that video of mid-match rehydration/refuelling and the TV commentator's reaction!). It's great you provide the support for him you do. The LTA could adopt you as a beacon for other individuals with resources who could become significant tennis sponsors.

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

The next Mansour Bahrami ?