Bad boy Willis focused on future

Bad boy junior tennis player, Marcus Willis has been given a career lifeline by the Lawn Tennis Association.

Bisham Abbey-based Willis,17, was sent home from January’s Australian Open by LTA coach Marcus Bohm for poor time-keeping, going ‘absent without leave’ and disrespect for the coaching team.

But the Wokingham teenager has hit the clay running at the start of the European tennis season with a couple of titles including a doubles win with another Abbey-based youngster Neil Pauffley.

Willis said: "I was just so wrong in Australia. I can’t say I don’t know why it happened because I did and it was all down to me. There is no excuse. I was intent on having a bit too much fun. I needed to become more mature. I made mistakes but I’m not going to make them again."

Willis now looks on the incident as the wake-up call he needed.

"The events opened my eyes to the responsibility I have to myself and the people who have been trying to help me," he added. "What happened can’t be changed but if the effect has been to get me on a better track then I’m glad it did happen.”

Paul Annacone, the LTA’s head men’s coach said: “I have seen lots of British kids who hit the ball well but Marcus has something different. He knows how to use his game and he knows how to win. Hopefully he has learnt a tough lesson and we are now going forward.”