Wimbledon Underdog Marcus Willis Turned down a £15,000 Sponsorship from The Sun for His Match with Roger Federer

Before this week, Marcus Willis had picked up just £220 in prize money all year.

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]

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