• Wimbledon

Broady looking to build on Wimbledon success

Liam Broady © Getty Images

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Liam Broady may not be a household name, but the 16-year-old has one more piece of silverware from Wimbledon than Andy Murray.

Broady, together with Tom Farquharson, is one half of the only British success at Wimbledon.The pair beat Lewis Burton and George Morgan 7-6(4) 6-4 to win the boys' doubles in an all-English final.

The last time the title was in British hands, Broady was just 15 months old. Back in 1995, Martin Lee and James Trotman beat Mexico's Alejandro Hernandez and Mariano Puerta 7-6(2) 6-4, and on Court One on Sunday, Broady and Farquharson restored some national pride with an almost identical scoreline.

It was quite a fortnight for Broady, who had been invited to hit with world No. 1 Rafael Nadal on the practice courts at the All England Club the previous week. But far from being intimidated by the power of the world No. 1, it has further underlined the 16-year-old's drive to make the transition onto the senior tour.

"It was fantastic for the experience," Broady told ESPN.co.uk. "He obviously hits the ball a lot harder than the juniors. Just to see his work rate and his attitude on the court is incredible, it gives me something to try and work on."

While the similarities between the British teenager and the Wimbledon champion are not immediately obvious, both are left-handers and favour the clay courts. Back in October 2008, Broady won the European under-14 title - a trophy previously owned by a certain Rafael Nadal.

Broady has already picked up some tips from former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe, who has spotted the youngster's potential. He made his Wimbledon debut last year after having to come through qualifying for the boys' singles, where he lost in the first round.

Broady and Tom Farquharson became the first British winners of the boys' doubles trophy since 1995 © Getty Images

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"It is fantastic to come back," Broady said. "You get massive crowds compared with everywhere else you go, and with the British crowds you usually have a lot of support. It's great just being around - the atmosphere is fantastic.

"It is easy to be distracted on court by the crowd when you are not used to it. You know you have friends and family watching but you really have to focus on every shot and raise your game by ten per cent."

Broady, whose sister Naomi plays on the women's circuit, lost in the second round of the boys' singles to American No. 7 seed Denis Kudla. After the dust has settled on his victory, what next for the Broady? A tilt at the US Open junior title perhaps?

"At the moment we are trying to decide whether to go to the US Open or to do the a clay-court circuit in Europe," he said. "At the moment I'm leaning towards the clay to try to develop my game a bit more. My best surfaces is grass but I enjoy playing on clay more - you have to work harder and I find it more challenging."

And looking to the future? Broady may now be dreaming of emulating his new friend Nadal, but he remains firmly grounded. "Of course everybody wants to be the best player in the world," he said. "But I'd like to make the top 50 and play in the Grand Slams. By the age of 20, 22 I want to be in the top 100."

Broady will not turn 22 until 2016. Watch this space.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.