British tennis star Liam Broady, 29, thanks ‘lucky charm’ girlfriend Eden Silva in gushing tribute as he cracks world top 100 – after family feud almost derailed his career
- British number five Liam Broady beat Casper Ruud yesterday to win £131,000
- His girlfriend Eden Silva, 27, was cheering him on at Wimbledon’s Centre Court
British tennis star Liam Broady has thanked his support network – including his glamorous model girlfriend – after he finally cracked the world top 100.
The 29-year-old, who’s frequently excited Wimbledon fans with strong first week runs at SW19, shared his delight at finally pushing through the tennis ranking milestone.
In an emotional post on his Instagram account, Stockport-born Broady, Britain’s number fourth ranked player, revealed he’s now 93 in the singles world rankings after a successful year.
Sharing a selection of photos of himself in childhood, and with his brother Calum and coach David Sammel, he also thanked his girlfriend Eden Silva for having faith in him.
He said of his fellow tennis pro girlfriend, who’s 27: ‘Thank you to my girlfriend Eden for believing in me as a person and for helping me to make the sacrifices I’ve needed to get here and for not giving me a hard time for not taking any holidays!’
At Wimbledon this year, Broady achieved the biggest victory of his career so far.
Broady breaks the 100: The British number five told his Instagram fans he was ‘feeling emotional’ this week after achieving his best ever ranking (Pictured at Wimbledon after beating Norway’s Casper Ruud)
He beat fourth seed Casper Ruud in a five-set Centre Court thriller that banked him £131,000.
After fulfilling his dream of playing at Centre Court, which he has had since the age of five, Broady firmly sets his sights on the top 100 – and has now finally achieved his dream.
He wrote on Instagram to his 46,900 followers this week: ‘Never really done one of these but I thought I probably had to as I’m feeling quite emotional having made the top 100 for the first time.’
Broady’s coach Dave Sammel drew praise, with the sportsman writing: ‘It’s hard to understate the sacrifices you have made for me and the ups and downs that we have experienced together over the last decade.’
The tennis player told fans that his current ranking was a ‘sweet end to a chapter but now we go to work writing the rest of the book. Thank you.’
The star, from Stockport, gave a special mention to his fellow tennis pro girlfriend Eden Silva, for ‘believing in me’
The star shared photos of his journey, including this cute snap of him playing in his younger days
His girlfriend Silva, who is ranked 12th in Britain for singles and is of Russian and Sri Lankan descent, has been dating Broady for over a year.
Earlier this year, his coach Dave Sammel said she had ‘definitely’ helped the British tennis star’s game with her support at matches.
Mr Sammel told MailOnline: ‘They are very close so it’s definitely a help. You work a long time to have these moments so you want to share it with [your partner]. If your partner is there, it’s nice to play in front of them.’
Broady’s path to the top 100 has been a tumultuous one; a family row with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) over a Bebo post by his sister Naomi proved a distraction when he was playing as a teenager.
Naomi, now a BBC tennis commentator, earned a wild child reputation – which she has later rejected in interviews – after posting a photo of herself on a night out aged 17 in 2007 on social network Bebo posing provocatively in a minidress next to a condom machine in a toilet.
It’s thought Broady and Silva have been dating for over a year, with the British tennis star sharing regular shares snaps of his girlfriend on Instagram
Silva, who is of Russian and Sri Lankan descent, has been credited with helping Broady’s game
Lucky charm: Silva pictured applauding her man during his match at Wimbledon this year
Broady’s family had a row with the LTA when his sister Naomi posted a photo of herself aged 17 in 2007 on Bebo posing provocatively in a minidress next to a condom machine in a toilet
And in June 2016, Broady decided to reject the LTA’s money and fund himself to settle the family rift – and said at the time that he had finally spoken to his father a few times again.
The incident sparked the wrath of the LTA, which removed her funding due to ‘unprofessional behaviour’ and put her career in jeopardy.
Naomi and Broady’s property developer father Simon was so appalled by the LTA’s decision that he pulled Broady, then 13, out of the LTA programme – and sold the family home to fund their careers himself in Paris instead.
The family continued its boycott until 2012 when Broady decided to accept LTA funding again – a move that angered his father so much that they stopped speaking to each other.
Broady’s coach Dave Sammel also got a mention, with the sportsman writing: ‘It’s hard to understate the sacrifices you have made for me and the ups and downs that we have experienced together over the last decade.’
Liam Broady’s sister Naomi (left) and girlfriend Eden Silva (right) celebrate his win against Diego Schwartzman in the second round of Wimbledon in June 2022
The charismatic sports star showing off his tattoos while changing his T-shirt during a Wimbledon match in July 2015
Broady won legions of new fans with strong runs at SW19; this year he beat Norway’s Casper Ruud, who was ranked a fourth seed at the tournament
Broady then enjoyed one of his best years in 2014 when his world ranking rose from 470 to 188.
The Manchester City FC fan is known to have his superstitions on court, and has previously revealed how he tries not to step on the court lines because he has always avoided pavement cracks.
He said: ‘As a kid you say, step on a crack you break your mum’s back. I’ve done that on pavements my whole life… it sort of leaks into my tennis as well.’
Broady also tries to have two to three coffees before a match to boost energy, and has a very specific warm up routine and ritual before matches – including doing mindfulness, yoga and breathing techniques to help with his nerves.
However, he has also spoken of his love of playing at Wimbledon, having appeared both in the juniors and in the men’s events.
The first time he played at the Championships was in the boys’ doubles in 2010 and said in an interview last year that he feels ‘very comfortable’ there.
Broady added: ‘I know it like the back of my hand. Getting onto a big court and getting the crowd going, that’s one of my favourite things about the sport.’
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