Liam Broady cracks up Wimbledon crowd after Casper Ruud win with message to mum

British Wimbledon hopeful Liam Broady gave a priceless interview after his surprise win over Casper Ruud on Centre Court. The 29-year-old’s epic battle set the stage for compatriot Andy Murray later in the day, with the two-time Wimbledon champion preparing to take on Stefanos Tsitsipas at the All England Club.

Broady booked his spot on Centre Court courtesy of a first-round win over Constant Lestienne, with the Frenchman dispatched in straight sets. Ruud was expected to provide a completely new test, however, having reached the French Open final last month.

But Broady immediately showed that he meant business on the biggest stage of all at SW19, taking the first set to pile pressure on the world No 4. To the Norwegian’s credit, he fought back to win the next two sets, but Broady found an extra gear and rounded off the five-set classic with a bagel to rev up Centre Court.

Speaking to the BBC after the victory, Broady joked: “I would have liked to have played [Ruud] back home [in Stockport] but Centre Court will do. When I went to bed last night I had a think about what I’d say if I won, but I don’t know what to say now.

“It’s a terrifying, exhilarating experience coming out on Centre Court. It’s been my dream since I was five years old.” Broady then cracked up the crowd by adding: “I said to my mum this morning that I’ve already won 80 grand this week so she can chill out.”

The Brit was referring to the money he banked by reaching the second round. His voyage to the third is set to make him even happier, with £131,000 heading his way even if he fails to make it past a tricky test in Denis Shapovalov.

Shapovalov dropped his first set at this year’s tournament, against Radu Albot in the opening round, but he has won six from a possible six since which saw Frenchman Gregoire Barrere swept aside on Thursday.

The 26th seed also has the benefit of a deep Wimbledon run under his belt, having reached the semi-finals back in 2021 before losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.