Wimbledon 2016: Marcus Willis and Roger Federer reminded us that sport isn't always about winning

The roof was closed, the lights shone and a packed gallery greeted a fairytale hero. It was a damp day in London, characteristic of England’s quirky summer weather. But everything inside the closed roof on the Centre Court at Wimbledon was as crisp as a vintage Roger Federer volley. An unusually boisterous Centre Court crowd conducted an orchestra that included 15,000 lung-busting fans. The object of their affection was Marcus Willis, a teaching pro from the Warwick Boat Club. His tussle with Federer did not work up too much froth, but the match served to remind us that sport is still isn’t always just about the winning score. Willis won just seven games in an 85-minute match that included a bagel in the first set. But then it wasn’t a day for numbers and keeping score. The 25-year-old born again tennis player walked on court to a deafening cheer and left it signing autographs and posing for selfies. Federer may have won the match, Willis won over an entire nation of skeptics with his infectious smile and self-belief. [caption id=“attachment_2866496” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Roger Federer with Marcus Willis after their match. Reuters[/caption] Willis teaches tennis, they told us as he worked his way two sets of qualifying events to make his way to Wimbledon. It appeared though that the sporting Gods sent him there to reconnect us with the soul of sport and teach us the virtues of enjoying it. Federer has been speaking to us about the love for sport. But in an era of instant gratification, the transcendental barely makes any sense. “I still have a lot to give before I say goodbye to this sport,” pleaded the Swiss, to an impatient journalist enquiring about retirement.“I love tennis, I love sport and I will play as long as my body will permit it.” The 17-time Grand Slam champion has reiterated that sentiment several times over, but we find it difficult to digest. What might wake up a man who has already won everything there is to win, for the grind of practice and the pain of competition? Federer tried to explain in a recent interview with The Guardian. “I’ve heard retirement since 2009 when I won the French Open and people were like, well, what else are you playing for?" he said in his interview. “I’m like, what’s wrong with you people? Don’t you understand that playing tennis is great fun? “I don’t need to win three slams a year to be content. If the body doesn’t want to do it, if the mind doesn’t want to do it, if my wife doesn’t want me to do it, if my kids don’t like it, I’ll stop tomorrow. Zero problem. “But I love tennis in such a big way that I don’t care if I don’t win so much anymore. For me that is irrelevant." Finally on Wednesday, it felt like Federer may have found an ally. It was easy to forget that an evening encounter between Federer and Willis on the most prized piece of real estate in tennis was a second round match in the 130th edition of Wimbledon. One man was applauding the other, Federer was impressed with his opponent’s audacity. There was nothing anyone could do about wiping the wide eyed grin on Willis’ countenance, not even Federer. The left hander was just happy to be on Centre Court, with his family watching from the players’ box. He had a legion of fans paying tributes to each of his 24 winners like they nearly won him the entire thing. They nearly brought the roof down on Centre Court. What they did bring back was the joy of sport. Federer may even feel indebted to Willis for making it easy for him to explain the next time he is asked a question about retirement. Willis was like a pied piper leading a generation of fans that were facing the risk of not celebrating the act of being. Just being on court, playing with the greatest player of all time, not too far from home. He rediscovered his love for tennis and reconnected us with the 19th century art of enjoying sport, taking us beyond our fixation with winners and losers. In that sense, Willis may have earned himself a lasting spot in Wimbledon folklore. He reminded me of Vladimir Voltchkov, who played his way through Roehampton before marching all the way through the semi-finals in 2000. He lost that match to Pete Sampras, but walked away an unforgettable winner in the hearts of Wimbledon fans. Lukas Rosol and Dustin Brown were other examples of young men who scripted their moments on the grass at the expense of Rafael Nadal. Those with an elephantine memory will also recall Roger Taylor. He reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 1970, hoisting the formidable Rod Laver out of the tournament. Maria Sharapova isn’t a cool example after earning a two-year doping ban, but her magical run in London as a 17-year-old girl was a Cinderella story. The Russian defeated Serena Williams in straight sets, beating all odds for her famous victory in 2004. And how can we forget the near mythical triumph of Goran Ivanisevic, when he won the whole thing as a wild card in 2001? It was the same year in which Federer upended Sampras in a match that offered a window to the future. Wimbledon sure has been the theatre of dreams for several men and women. But Willis and Federer turned Centre Court into a cathedral of joy, introducing us to the joy of sport. And the art of celebrating just being on court, irrespective of the result.