- Billy Harris helped Team GB to a 2-0 win over Finland in the Davis Cup groups
- He saw off Otto Virtanen in straight sets in place of US Open deep-runner Draper
- It has been a remarkable 12 months for Harris, who used to live out of a Ford van
As a late bloomer, Billy Harris has long had to be patient that his time in the spotlight would come.
The 29-year-old started his professional career living out of a Ford transit van with a portable cooker and his own racquet stringer and saw prize money in the hundreds, rather than thousands, of pounds roll in.
But, here in Manchester, the British No 3 ticked off the latest in a string of firsts in the last 12 months – which include a first ATP Tour win and a first Grand Slam appearance – playing and winning on his Davis Cup debut in what he believes is the greatest moment of his career to date.
‘Definitely a few nerves in there!’ Harris said after his 6-4, 7-6 win over Finland’s Otto Virtanen.
‘You’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for your team and country. I can’t lie, I was a bit nervous but as soon as it got going I felt good out there.
Billy Harris claimed a straight-sets victory over Finland’s Otto Virtanen on his Davis Cup bow
It has been a whirlwind 12 months for the star who was debuted in all four Grand Slams in 2024
He starred as a replacement Jack Draper, who was rested after reaching the US Open semis
‘I think [making my] debut for Great Britain, a first cap, this probably tops it all so far. It was always going to be tough playing No 1 with Jack [Draper] and Cam [Norrie] and people not around. I went out and played a good match so I’m pleased with it.’
Since turning professional in 2015 – the same year that Andy Murray inspired Great Britain to victory over Belgium to win the Davis Cup – Harris’ ascent has been a slow one.
‘Three years ago I was probably ranked about 600 so I had no chance of getting near the team,’ he said.
‘But I’ve been improving each year since then and feel like I was ready to step into the team once I got called up. It’s a very proud moment to represent my country and happy I put in a good performance.’
Harris, who is at a career high world No 101 right now, saw his mentality put to the test here when he spurned two break point opportunities up 4-2 in the second set.
Down 5-4, and then 6-5, the Brit rallied impressively to clinch the tie-break to seal a 6-4, 7-6 victory, and clinch the tie overall, against Finland.
Great Britain started the day with Dan Evans beating world No 703 Eero Vasa 7-6, 6-2 – where Evans was left annoying by the heckling of one member of Finland’s bench upon his every miss – and Harris did his part to put the tie beyond doubt.
‘Obviously I knew his ranking which probably made it a bit more difficult,’ Evans said. ‘There’s a lot more pressure for me to win the match.
Harris admitted he was ‘nervous’ after beating Virtanen (pictured) 6-4, 7-6 in Manchester
‘As well as Billy being a debutant, I really sort of wanted to be 1-0 up just to help him out a bit more, I think. As well as [Vasa] playing as free as you like for the best part of an hour I did well to weather the storm. But it was pretty comfortable in the end.’
Tougher tests now lie in wait with GB taking on Argentina on Friday, and Canada on Sunday in Manchester, knowing a top two finish in the group is required to make November’s Finals in Malaga.
