LONDON — Isle of Man tennis player Billy Harris has quickly shifted his focus to doubles after a tough defeat in the men's singles at Wimbledon. Harris, who lost in straight sets to 14th seed Ben Shelton, will return to the court on Thursday alongside British partner Marcus Willis in what promises to be an exciting doubles clash.
The 29-year-old qualifier, making his Wimbledon debut, put up a spirited fight against the American powerhouse but ultimately fell 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 on Court 14. Despite the loss, Harris remained optimistic, telling reporters, "It's been an incredible experience. I'll take the positives and get ready for doubles with Marcus. We've got good chemistry, and I'm excited for another chance to compete here."
A Dream Debut at SW19
Harris's journey to Wimbledon has been anything but conventional. The world No. 162, who balances his tennis career with coaching at a local club, became the first player from the Isle of Man to compete in the main draw of a Grand Slam in the Open Era. His qualification alone made headlines, and his performance against Shelton demonstrated his potential on the big stage.
Key moments from Harris's singles match included:
- A thrilling 22-shot rally in the second set that brought the crowd to their feet
- Saving three break points in a crucial fifth game of the third set
- Winning 72% of points when approaching the net - a tactic he'll likely employ in doubles
Willis, Harris's doubles partner and former Wimbledon singles competitor himself, praised his teammate's resilience: "Billy's shown what he's capable of. In doubles, his volleys and movement will be real assets. We're both hungry to make an impact."
Doubles Partnership with Promise
The Harris-Willis pairing, though relatively new, has already shown flashes of potential. They reached the quarterfinals at the Nottingham Open last month, defeating higher-ranked opponents along the way. Their complementary styles - Harris's powerful groundstrokes and Willis's deft touch at the net - could prove troublesome for their first-round opponents, the experienced duo of Marcelo Melo and Alexander Zverev.
Harris acknowledged the challenge ahead: "They're both top players, but in doubles anything can happen. Marcus has great experience here, and we'll use that. Our game plan is simple - stay aggressive, communicate well, and enjoy the occasion. After qualifying here, every match feels like a bonus."
The Willis Factor
Willis brings valuable Wimbledon experience to the partnership. The 33-year-old famously reached the second round in singles in 2016 as a world No. 772, defeating Ricardas Berankis before falling to Roger Federer on Centre Court. His understanding of the tournament's unique atmosphere could prove invaluable for Harris.
"Marcus has been brilliant," Harris said. "He knows how to handle the pressure here, and his doubles instincts are top class. We've been working on our positioning and signals - the small things that make a difference at this level."
Looking Ahead
While the singles loss stings, Harris's Wimbledon journey is far from over. The doubles match, scheduled for Thursday afternoon on Court 8, represents another opportunity to make his mark. A strong performance could lead to wildcard opportunities at future tournaments and potentially boost his doubles ranking (currently No. 187).
Harris remains characteristically pragmatic about his future: "I'm taking it one match at a time. Right now, all that matters is preparing well with Marcus. Whatever happens, this fortnight has shown me I belong at this level. The goal is to keep improving and come back stronger next year - hopefully in both singles and doubles."
For tennis fans in the Isle of Man, Harris's participation alone has been historic. The island's Lawn Tennis Association president, David Knight, told BBC Radio: "Billy's achievement has inspired a new generation of players here. Whatever happens in doubles, he's already made us incredibly proud."