Harris puts defeat aside to focus on doubles

Billy Harris made his debut at Wimbledon in 2024

Tennis player Billy Harris said although he was "gutted" to be out of the Wimbledon singles competition, he is looking forward to getting back on court in the doubles on Thursday.

There was disappointment for the 30-year-old on Wednesday when he lost 6-3 6-4 7-6 (9-7) in the second round to Portugal's Nuno Borges.

Harris said although it was a "frustrating" defeat, his opponent had been "pretty solid from his serve and from the baseline, so it was a tough match".

"But it is what it is and we move on to the doubles now," he said.

Reaching the second round at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships marked the player's best run at the event, after losing in the first round on his debut in 2024.

Reflecting on Wednesday's match, Harris said: "I had my chances and I think I missed one passing shot on set-point by an inch.

"I had a couple more set-points, so you've got to take those kind of chances in these matches, but that's tennis, it's always like that.

"He's a very solid player from the back of he court, so if you're not doing enough with the ball he's going to move you around all day.

"In the third set I think I was feeling the ball a lot better, had a bit more rhythm in my service games, but I couldn't take the tie-break in the end."

Harris praised the "great support from the crowd" as well as the messages from friends and family on the Isle of Man.

"Big thanks to them and I was just gutted that I couldn't take it further," he said.

Looking ahead to his doubles match on Thursday against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik and Flavio Cobolli of Italy, Harris said playing alongside fellow British player Marcus Willis was something he was relishing.

"Marcus is a great doubles player and if we put a great performance together we can win some matches."

Harris was defeated in straight sets in his second round match on Wednesday