Lloyd Harris: My mother is Roger Federer’s biggest fan

South Africa’s lone entrant in the men’s singles draw at this year’s Wimbledon, Lloyd Harris, lost his first round match against Frenchman Gregoire Barrere 7-5, 6-7 (7-4), 7-5, 6-3.

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The 3 hour 10 minute clash offered 26-year-old Harris a number of opportunities that left him feeling like the match got away.

Harris was serving for the first set leading 5-4, but Barrere reeled off the next three games to snatch the set.

Harris then won the second set in a tiebreak to get himself well and truly back into the contest.

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Harris was also serving for the third set at 5-4, 40-15, but once again Barrere won the next three games.

Post-match Harris reflected on his performance, speaking exclusively to The South African website’s Dave Marshall.

“Very tough. Very tough match. Felt pretty confident going into the match. Had a good week last week.

“I was struggling to take my chances today. He played a little bit better on the big points.

“I feel like that was the biggest difference. All in all, it was really close.

“Obviously a difficult one to lose, being up a break twice,” Harris said.

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Harris revealed an interesting nickname he’s called by his fellow Davis Cup players.

“They call me ‘King’ as I was beating everyone the first time I was involved with the Davis Cup.

“I was beating everyone who were all much older than me, and I was 17 or 18.”

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When asked if he likes this nickname, Harris said: “How can you not like it!” – which was followed by much laughter.

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Harris also disclosed that he has been following Tottenham Hotspurs in the English Premier League for the last 8 or 9 years.

“I love the way Harry Kane and Son Heung-min play the game and they’re the players that caught my attention.

“I also like a bit of an underdog story myself. It’s been 8 years without a trophy, I back them to deliver.”

Harris described his 2021 victory over Rafael Nadal 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in Washington DC as his greatest ever win in tennis to date.

“It’s up there with the best memories of my career.

“An unbelievable night. An unbelievable battle.

“An unbelievable moment. I’d always idolised him my whole career. I still do.

“Probably the best competitor in tennis.”

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When Harris found out Roger Federer was in the Royal Box on Tuesday, he texted his mother.

“You’ve got to turn on the TV to see Federer,” he wrote.

“She’s the biggest Federer fan. The first and only time she hasn’t supported Federer was when I played him in my first main draw at Wimbledon in 2019.”

Incidentally, Harris won the first set against Federer 6-3 on Centre Court that day, before going on to lose the next three sets 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

“It was a very special moment in my career and I won’t forget it.”

Dave Marshall is covering this year’s Wimbledon exclusively for The South African website

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