EXCLUSIVE: Lloyd Harris saves match point to reach Wimbledon Round 2

EXCLUSIVE: Lloyd Harris saves match point to reach Wimbledon Round 2

‘Keep dreaming, keep believing, no goal is unreachable’ reads the tattoo on Lloyd Harris’s left forearm.

On Monday, Day 1 of The Championships, Wimbledon, South Africa’s Harris proved just how much he lives and breathes by this motto.

On what was undoubtedly Wimbledon’s match of the day, Harris fought back from two sets – and a match point – down against world No 55 Alex Michelsen from the USA, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 7-6 (11/9), clinching one of the most remarkable wins of his life.

The match took place on an outside court (Court 9), surrounded by packed benches and many fans who stood for the full 3 hour 28 minute duration.

The match certainly delivered, right down to a dramatic match point, as Harris exclusively told Amisha Savani of The South African website: “the fifth set was absolutely crazy: opportunities, some crazy points too from him (Michelsen) to save it, going match point down and then one of the most bizarre match points I’ve ever had in my entire life. I’ll be re-watching that clip another hundred times.”

The momentum changed in the third set, as Harris picked up pace at 3-1 with a winning lob to Michelsen’s drop shot, followed by faultless serving (a total of 34 aces in the match).

South Africa’s Davis Cup captain Christo van Rensburg was courtside, encouraging Harris in Afrikaans to serve to the deuce side, and to start serving more aggressively.

‘Motivating to hear South African fans singing’

Asked at the post-match press conference whether Van Rensburg’s sound advice had helped the turnaround, Harris said that it was very motivating, together with the South African fans, singing at the changeovers.

“You’re taking your towel and the fans are so close that they are breathing on top of you, but it doesn’t matter because they’re motivating you. It inspired me to win. I got so much energy from them; I didn’t want to let anyone down”.

Harris said that grass now feels more like his “natural habitat”, making him reminisce about his rugby days in South Africa.

“Wimbledon is really special, as it’s the slam where I’ve struggled the most in my career, so for me to pull through a match, being match point down is absolutely crazy. The atmosphere left a little mark in my heart, and it’s definitely something I’ll remember”.

Lloyd Harris excited about Round 2

Looking ahead, Harris was excited at the prospect of playing the winner of the match between Ben Shelton and Mattia Bellucci, both left-handers.

“I love playing lefties in general, both of them great players: Ben is one of the best players in the world, and I lost to Mattia in the French Open qualifying, so it would be great to have a chance to play him again. So, either or, I’ll be super excited. Both are both tough matchups, but I’m going to go out there with my fighting spirit again”.

Unsurprisingly, Harris had been deluged with messages from home: “fans got to watch it on tv which is great, as I’ve not always gotten coverage where I’m playing on a small little outside court. All my friends and family back home could watch it, which was amazing and very special. I feel like that’s vital for us to grow tennis in South Africa, and hopefully I inspired some people with my fighting spirit today”.

About living according to his tattoo motto: “for sure it keeps me going and it’s nice to sit in the changeover and see that and a little bit of extra inspiration right here on my arm, so it’s perfect”.

Lloyd Harris is next scheduled to play the winner of the match between Ben Shelton and Mattia Bellucci, on Wednesday, 3 July.

Amisha Savani is reporting LIVE from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon for The South African