The following article was published on BBC Sport website 1 July 2025:
Wimbledon first round winner Billy Harris says he hopes his progress in the tournament will "inspire" children at his boyhood club to pursue a career in tennis.
Harris, who made his debut at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships last year, progressed to the second round on Monday.
The 30-year old beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-3 6-2 6-4 after progressing through qualifying for the first time – his 2024 appearance was thanks to a wildcard.
Harris said although his opponent was a "good player", he was "feeling good straight away".
"I've been practicing well the last few days and managed to bring that on the court," he said.
Harris said the atmosphere during the match, which was played on "the same court actually that I lost on last year", had been "great".
"It was nice to go back on there and make it one-one on Court 15," he added.
Ranked 151 in the world, Harris went into the tournament in good form, beating fellow British player and former Wimbledon semi-finalist Cameron Norrie at Eastbourne.
And the progress Harris has made over the past 18 months is something he said he does not take for granted.
"A few years ago I was nowhere near playing a Grand Slam so [I'm] really proud to be here and to get the win, and hopefully I can continue," he added.
Born in Nottingham, Harris grew up in the Isle of Man and played for Albany Tennis Club, where he is now vice-president.
Praising the club, he said it was "where I basically grew up playing and learning the trade".
"So thanks to everyone that's been supporting me, I appreciate it a lot," Harris added.
"Hopefully it can inspire some kids back on the Isle of Man to get into tennis and keep pushing to make a career out of tennis."
He said his debut at the tournament has been a learning curve as "maybe I let it get to my head a little bit".
"But you just have to focus on the match and enjoy the crowd and the home support," he added.
Harris will next take to the court at Wimbledon, against Portugal's Nuno Borges, on Wednesday.
Looking ahead, he said: "It's going to be a tough match but I'll do my preparation the same again and do what I can to bring my best game to the court."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c5y776xk873o?fbclid=IwY2xjawLSGD5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtsoGUtTo1PT2Cy2MHAxo3sf5CGROhGGBIF9atPJkU2kFKm4cOgjnCk4K_0e_aem_gZnXpSixM0aTzBHh9PFqhw