Liam Broady is hoping to improve his confidence after an impressive victory from a set down at the LTA’s Rothesay Open Nottingham.
Stockport’s Broady, who is supported by the LTA’s Pro Access Programme, battled back to defeat Japan’s Rio Noguchi 5-7 6-1 6-2 in round one of the men’s singles draw.
The past few months have not been easy for the 29-year-old, who was beaten in his opening match by Gabriel Diallo at the LTA’s Lexus Surbiton Trophy last week.
However Broady went on to win the men’s doubles title alongside compatriot Jonny O’Mara in London, and was pleased to get an opening singles victory on the grass under his belt on Tuesday.
“It was shaky, I’ve not played many matches over the last three months or so,” said Broady.
“I’ve had a few injuries and niggles that I’ve struggled to get rid of, and the clay season is always a tough one. I’ve been pretty low on confidence, and I think that kind of showed in Surbiton – especially if you’re playing on a grass court with low confidence, matches can go really quickly.
“So I was happy with how I responded after the first set today. After the first set today I thought it was going to end up how it did last week as well, but I managed to turn it around and get a positive result out of it.”
Nottingham was a happy hunting ground for Broady last year, reaching the last eight of the men’s singles on home soil.
And he was thrilled to be back competing in the city once again, where he spent several years as a junior.
He added: “These courts are as good as any grass courts in the world to be honest with you.
“I think it’s just more that it’s closer to home than London is, my aunty and uncle came here to watch me and I actually used to train here at this centre when I was younger for two or three years.
“This is kind of a second home really. I guess it’s more psychological, being comfortable in Nottingham.”
For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
