Broady makes call on top 100

ONE of the first thoughts that came into Liam Broady's mind when he achieved a decade-long goal by securing a place in the top 100 was for the people who gave up on him.

-  ELEANOR CROOKS

By reaching the final of last week's second-tier Challenger tournament in St Tropez, Broady guaranteed he would rise to 93 in the rankings when they are updated today.

It is 12 years since the Stockport player, who is now 29, reached the boys' final at Wimbledon and he spoke of his emotions, saying: "Mainly relief.

"The thing that's been the goal that's kept me going for 10 years has been 'I will be top 100 one day!

"It's funny, with this stuff you never feel as good as you think, once you do it you're like, 'Oh is that it'?

"Now I'm already thinking about how can we finish the year strong, how can I go to Australia and maximise at the start of next year.

"But it is a big weight off my shoulders." It has been a rollercoaster of a career for Broady, who hit such a mental low a few years ago that he came close to quitting the sport.