British wildcard Liam Broady caused a major upset at Wimbledon, stunning fourth seed Casper Ruud in the second round. Despite being ranked 142nd in the world, Broady delivered an impressive performance against an opponent who has reached three of the last five Grand Slam finals.
Ruud, who had struggled in his previous Wimbledon appearances, seemed mentally defeated as Broady dominated the final set to secure a memorable victory. In an on-court interview, Broady expressed his exhilaration at fulfilling his childhood dream of playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon. He also humorously mentioned to his mother that he had already won £80,000 ($110,000) that week and she could relax a bit.
Although there was a significant difference in their world rankings, there was little to separate the two players throughout the match. Both standing at 6ft tall and having a similar build, they even sported matching shirts, shorts, and white headbands. The only distinction was a small logo on the front of Ruud’s headband.
Broady quickly found his rhythm on the grass surface, which was unfamiliar to Ruud. Despite being broken first, Broady fought back to claim the first set. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Ruud taking an early lead and maintaining his advantage.
As Ruud went two sets to one up, it seemed like order would be restored. However, Broady had different plans. He reduced his errors and produced a series of strong service games to seize control of the fourth set. Serving out to love, he forced a decider.
In the weeks leading up to Wimbledon, Ruud had been engaged in activities like clay pigeon shooting, playing golf, and relaxing on a boat, providing less than ideal preparation for the prestigious tournament. Sensing an opportunity, Broady broke Ruud’s serve in the opening game of the fifth set and showcased his powerful double-fisted backhand. He fought back from a 40-0 deficit to break Ruud’s serve again, effortlessly serving out to love for a 4-0 lead. Broady eventually clinched the match, securing his first Tour win against a top-10 opponent.
Reflecting on his loss, Ruud acknowledged that while his ranking made it an upset, he considered Broady to be a superior grass court player. Ruud cited Broady’s effectiveness and movement on grass as factors that worked in his opponent’s favor. Although disappointed, Ruud expressed his love for Wimbledon, emphasizing the special place it holds in his heart.
Broady’s victory over Ruud serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement that Wimbledon often brings. As the tournament progresses, tennis fans eagerly anticipate further surprises and inspiring underdog stories.
