Van life to Wimbledon debut at 29: Billy Harris' hard journey to SW19
For years Billy Harris travelled between lower tier matches in his converted Ford Transit van sleeping in McDonald's car parks and living off cans of tuna.
Today the 29-year-old's sacrifices paid off as he made his Wimbledon debut earning him an impressive £60,000 in prize money – his biggest paycheck to date.
The British hopeful – who was among 11 home players flying the flag for the nation today – was sent crashing out by Spain's Juame Munar in four gruelling sets 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Despite his defeat, the first round cash coupled with his recent success in the grass court season has seen him earn more than £150,000 in the last month.
He took home almost £33,000 after winning three matches at Eastbourne and over £52,300 for making the final eight at Queen's.
Billy Harris in action against Jaume Munar on day two of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships
The British hopeful – who was among 11 home players flying the flag for the nation today – was sent crashing out by Spain 's Juame Munar in four gruelling sets 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
Before this year, the player from the Isle of Man had earned just £230,000 over his nine year career – which equates to around £25,000 per year.
His doubles partner Liam Broady, who crashed out of his own first round match on Monday, said last night: 'I've known Billy for many years and he's earned these chances.
'He's told me the stories, he stopped off in Dover on the way to mainland Europe and picked up three months' worth of canned tuna and Uncle Ben's rice.
For years Billy Harris travelled between lower tier matches in his converted Ford Transit van sleeping in McDonald's car parks and living off cans of tuna
Billy posing in a picture posted to his Instagram on top of his van in Setúbal, a city and municipality in Portugal, in 2016
'That's all he lived off for months. There's not many people who would have been willing to make the sacrifices Billy has. I hope he achieves everything that he can imagine.'
The 6ft 4in tall player, who now drives a Mini Cooper and has been staying in an Air Bnb in Wimbledon, said he was thinking about investing the cash in a new van.
When asked if he was going to treat himself after his latest windfall, he said: 'A new van potentially. I drive a Mini Cooper at the moment…it's bit tight. I get in and out of van a bit easier.'
The player said it had been a great few weeks adding: 'It's taken me a lot longer than most people to get here.
Another snapped shared on social media shows the tennis player's van life set up with his cooked breakfast
The 29-year-old British hopeful pictured with his home-on-wheels in Tarifa, Spain, in 2016
'It's been a long journey and a lot of years. It probably feels even more special to be here now.'
Mr Harris had spent much of the early years of his career travelling around Europe in his transit van competing in lower tier tournaments.
Sleeping in a camper bed in the back and cooking on a camping stove on roadsides to save money –it was a far cry from the glamour of SW19.
Having grown tired of his nomadic lifestyle, Mr Harris gifted the vehicle to his father – but as it had clocked up so many miles it was not long before the engine blew up.
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