United Cup

Billy Harris' journey, from sleeping in a van to the United Cup spotlight

Billy Harris spent three and a half years traveling around Europe, trying to secure enough points to climb the PIF ATP Rankings. The Briton had a bed in the back with a stringing machine to restring his racquets. He would spend evenings in club car parks, on the side of the road, or anywhere he could shut down for the evening.

Now, aged 29, Harris is competing on one of the biggest stages of the sport. The World No. 125 is Great Britain’s No. 1 singles player at the United Cup.

“I wouldn't say it was a massive struggle. Just that I was sleeping in my van to get to tournaments. There were a couple other players doing the same thing,” Harris told ATPTour.com. “[It was] more the fact I was on the Futures tour for maybe seven, eight years without getting any real rewards. Now I'm playing Grand Slam qualifying at Wimbledon this year and getting into bigger tournaments. It’s great to be playing at the highest level.”

Higher and higher 📈

The story of how Billy Harris went from traveling in his van to reaching a first career ATP Tour semifinal 👇#OnTheRise | @the_LTA pic.twitter.com/pVZSYmIo4k

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) December 19, 2024

Entering the 2024 season, Harris had never climbed higher than World No. 199. In September he reached a career-high World No. 101.

“It was a good year for me. Starting the year around 200 and finishing around 120. It was the best year I've had so far. I've got to be pleased with that,” Harris said. “But I’m always looking to push further. It's great to get some team events, like Davis Cup, and this week in Sydney."

With two tour-level matches to his name at the start of 2024, Harris played 13 last season and won seven of them. The Briton thrived on grass, advancing to the quarter-finals at Queen’s Club and the semi-finals in Eastbourne.

“I think just when I moved up into the Challengers, I knew I had to raise my level a bit just to keep up with the pace of rally ball,” Harris said. “I think each level you move up, you have to adapt, otherwise you’re straight back down into the Futures. So you have to improve just to keep up on each level.

“That's the main thing and making small adjustments. But no real massive adjustments, just constantly trying to make these small improvements.”

^{Katie Boulter and Harris lead Team Great Britain at the United Cup. Photo Credit: Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour.}
One of the highlights of Harris’ season came when he represented Great Britain for the first time in Davis Cup, earning a victory against Finland. He takes great pride in playing for his country, which is one of the reasons he is so excited for the United Cup.

“I watched the Davis Cup when I was maybe 10 years old for the first time in Birmingham, Greg Rusedski was playing, and guys like that. John Lloyd was the team captain,” Harris said. “I remember that very clearly, and it was obviously an aim of mine to play one day for Great Britain. And I'm glad, I'm glad I've managed to tick that off this year.

“It's a great thing. It is just a bit more special to play with the Union Jack on your chest and represent your country.”

Harris comes from an athletic family. His older brother golfed for an American university and younger brother competed in two Commonwealth Games for javelin. His sister played college tennis, too.

Off the court, Harris enjoys playing darts, which has been a hit in Great Britain of late with the rise of Luke Littler. He also enjoys playing golf when he can and spending time with his family and friends. He used to fish, but no longer. Instead the Briton is reeling in victories on the ATP Tour.

The 29-year-old will play Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Monday in Great Britain’s opening United Cup tie against Argentina.

"[It is a] great opportunity to get some very good matches in to start the year," Harris said. "So [I am] looking forward to it, and hopefully I'll bring my best game to the court.”