Stockport’s Naomi Broady loved every second of her big stage debut at Wimbledon – but admitted she was sorry for not giving rival Caroline Wozniacki more of a game.
Broady – a first round winner over Hungary’s Timea Babos – was determined to savour her experience on No. 1 Court but it was over quickly as the former world number one progressed 6-3, 6-2.
“I very much didn’t enjoy my tennis, but I very much enjoyed the experience,” said Broady, 24.
“I didn’t quite make it to an hour, did I? I think I looked up at the end and it was 59 minutes.
“It’s frustrating that I didn’t play better and I wish that it could have gone on longer. But I loved every minute that I was out there.”
The British number four’s ambition is now to break the world’s top 100 and she hopes to use some of her £43,000 winnings to employ a full-time coach. Broady is not supported by the LTA after falling out with the governing body as a teenager.
“At some point I will look at that, if anyone will put up with me,” she joked.
“So far it’s been a funding issue. I guess now it’s the same for most players. Now I’ve got the funds available.
“You have to find someone that you click with and that you work well with.”
Broady also revealed she apologised to Wozniacki for not pushing her harder and that she’d dedicated an ace to an admirer in the crowd.
“I said sorry for not giving her a very good match for her next round,” she added.
“She’s very sweet, such a nice girl inside and out. She’s been through a rough time recently, and I’m super happy for her to go through the next round. Even if she had to beat me. Damn her.
“The crowd were so interactive. It was so much fun,” she said.
“When I got the first game they were really cheering. I think they appreciated that she’s the better player and I was just giving my best out there.
“This whole experience has given me a new drive, this was by far the biggest court I’ve ever played on.
“I want to play there again next year and I want to win there.”
As the Official Banking Partner of The Championships, HSBC is helping fans get closer to Wimbledon by giving them the chance to win Centre Court tickets. For further information, visit www.wimbledon.com/hsbc
Main image courtesy of UKFast via YouTube, with thanks.
