That there is something a bit different about Liam Broady can be discerned by his current choice of reading material: Marcus Aurelius, How To Think Like A Roman Emperor.
This should not be taken as a sign that the world No151 has become too big for his boots, as the volume deals with the subject of stoicism.
Broady has needed plenty of that in a career of relentless toil and travel, often around the less glamorous stops of the tour, which has frequently seen him on the cusp of the world’s top 100 but never quite cracking the magic number.
The coming weeks are another opportunity to achieve that goal, starting with a wildcard this week to the Cinch Championships, which signal the build-up to Wimbledon starting in earnest.
Broady is a free-spirited left- hander and popular figure on the British tennis scene who gets on particularly well with Andy Murray. His doubles partner in Nottingham last week was Jonny O’Mara, whom Murray has just signed up to be his travelling hitting partner and regular coaching sounding board.
Liam Broady can be discerned by his current choice of reading material as he reveals he has been reading Marcus Aurelius, How To Think Like A Roman Emperor.
There is extra scrutiny on the likes of Broady (left) and Andy Murray (right) ahead of the grass court season
With injuries depleting the number of GB hopefuls this grass court season — Emma Raducanu, Jack Draper, Alastair Gray and Paul Jubb are among those out — there is particular focus on Murray and extra scrutiny on the likes of Broady, 29.
He is on the way back after a similar wrist injury to Raducanu, caused by a bone growth and a subsequent strain to an abdominal muscle. It stunted his latest charge at the top 100 earlier in the season.
‘I’ve become convinced that if you pick up one injury which stops you playing regularly then it becomes easier to pick up another,’ says Broady. ‘I’m pretty sure that’s what’s been happening with Jack and Emma. And also with them it’s like their bodies are still adjusting to the demands of becoming full-blown professional athletes, which takes time.
‘I’ve got a carpal boss [a bony lump on the wrist] like Emma and I’ve decided to try and manage it, but I’m quite a bit older than her and don’t want four months off.’
He recommends that, in their disappointment, they try to foster the perspective he gains from being a voracious reader and from stoically counting his blessings.
That comes in handy for someone who for years has been among the large number of unsung professionals who float around the edges of the sport’s elite, occasionally glimpsing the big time, such as last year at Wimbledon when he reached the third round.
‘I’ve got quite a well-rounded perspective on life. I’m usually in an interesting foreign place meeting new people and earning more money than I would if I was coaching back home.
‘I used to think that coaching would be a decent alternative life but, during Covid when I couldn’t travel, I did some coaching and if I’m honest they were the longest few weeks of my life. It wasn’t for me; I found it a bit horrendous, so I try and make sure I don’t take anything for granted.’
Broady (pictured) gets on particularly well with Murray
Broady gets on particularly well with Murray and anyone familiar with their social media feeds will know of the stick they like to give each other.
For instance when the southpaw from Stockport had his bags lost when travelling to Lisbon and posted about it, Murray simply replied ‘Nobody cares mate.’ When the same thing happened to Murray not long after and he posted a plaintive tweet, Broady replied with the exact same words.
‘I suppose it started in the Battle of the Brits during lockdown, Andy loves having a debate and he sees me as someone he thinks he can run rings round.
‘But the nice thing is that Andy also knows when it’s time to be serious and we’ve talked about tennis a lot and he has also been incredibly helpful to me in my career. In fairness I’ve been around locker rooms a lot now and all those “Big 3” or “Big 4” guys are pretty friendly and down to earth.’
He also thinks that Murray has been smart in hiring his friend O’Mara. ‘Jonny’s a character but he’s very intelligent about tennis and has a good feel for the sport,’ says Broady.
‘Andy needs some stability when people like Lendl aren’t around. Being around Andy means you are also going to get a bit of stick, and Jonny’s pretty good at taking that.’
By his own admission Broady is quite opinionated on social media in his commentary on current affairs and politics
Another facet of Broady on social media is his commentary on current affairs and politics, admitting he is quite opinionated. ‘I’m probably more politically aware than your average person.’ But he adds: ‘Some of the people I travel with get a bit bored with my opinions.’
At this point it looks unlikely that he will follow in the footsteps of another working-class lad from Stockport, Fred Perry, the son of a Labour MP, and win Wimbledon, but his household has already produced a top 100 player in his now retired sister Naomi.
That it is quite a feat in itself in a sport where family financial heft might not be essential, but definitely helps.
At Queen’s Broady will face a tough and experienced opponent in Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, who last week beat world No3 Daniil Medvedev on grass.
