Wimbledon debut a 'dream' for Isle of Man player

Tennis player Billy Harris said making his debut at Wimbledon was something he had "always dreamt" of doing.

The 29-year-old, who took up tennis as a child in the Isle of Man, played his first match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships on Monday after being given a wild card.

He said while he was "gutted" to have lost to Jaume Munar in the four-set match, he had given it "his best" and his Spanish opponent was "the better player" on the day.

"I’ve always dreamt of playing here and I know I lost but it’ll be a highlight, and I hope to be back again," he said.

"I definitely wouldn't expect to have been here a few years ago, but it was great to play here."

Harris had spent the start of his professional career driving to tournaments in a transit van to save money, but won his first match on the ATP Tour in November.

On being given the opportunity to compete at Wimbledon, he said he appreciated being given the chance and would continue to try to play more in the ATP Tour to "make as many points as I can in the next months".

He said that would hopefully put him in a position to "be in the main draw off my own back" in future.

Harris is set to team up with Liam Broady in the men's doubles later, taking on the American pairing of Christopher Eubanks and Evan King.

Looking ahead to that first round match, he said: "It's not going to be easy, if we play well we should have a good chance."

"Hopefully we can put a good match together."

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