Marcus Willis will head up this year’s Liverpool International Tennis Tournament.
Returning for its 16th installment, ATP and WTA stars will descend on the city for Europe’s largest exhibition tournament ahead of this year’s Wimbledon.
Marcus Willis, a wildcard from last year’s All-English Championship, has confirmed that he will be competing in the four-day event from June 15.
Ranked 772 going into last year’s Wimbledon, Willis earned a centre-stage match against Roger Federer after beating Lithuanian ace Ricardis Berankis.
Originally from Slough, he turned down a windfall of £15,000 from The Sun newspaper because of his support for Liverpool FC.
He said: “This is my first year competing in Liverpool.
“But after my dream run at Wimbledon last year I believe Liverpool is the perfect place to kick off my 2017 grass court season.
“I have heard nothing but great things about the organisation and the way Anders [Borg] runs things and I am very excited as a Liverpool fan to make my professional debut in Liverpool in front of world class sporting fans.”
Current court stars and tennis legends will take part in the Liverpool exhibition as the grass season begins.
Organiser Anders Borg said: “Marcus is a fantastic person and a great player in particular on grass and we very much look forward to have him in Liverpool.
“I am sure we will organise a trip to Anfield for him during his stay in the city.”
Tickets are available now from www.liverpooltennis.co.uk