Naomi Broady and Tara Moore both lost their first round matches today at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham. Broady lost to Daria Gavrilova in a three set battle, while Moore was defeated from a set and a break up against grass court specialist Tamira Paszek.
On a positive note for the British players, Broady will play the Wimbledon main draw after breaking into the top #100. Meanwhile Moore has been granted a main draw wildcard at the Championships following a sensational run of results during the grass court swing. The world #230, Moore, has improved immensely through picking up good results on both clay and grass in recent weeks. Claiming 13 wins in her last 16 matches, including a quarter-final showing in Nottingham, has boosted her confidence substantially.
Brits Naomi Broady and Tara Moore Lose but Remain Positive
Moore focused on the positives despite a three set loss to Paszek.
“Tamira played really well. She did not give me much room to breathe today. She played a very good match. I have to take away the positives, keep working and obviously I have got a few more weeks until Wimbledon, so I will just try to practice as much as possible.”
Moore also showed a refreshed perspective to the opportunity that awaits her at Wimbledon, where she will receive another main draw wild card.
“I’m very grateful for the All England Club for giving me a wild card and the LTA for putting me up for suggestion. I think it’s great to have another opportunity to show how I have been playing this season and I have played well enough to deserve one [a wild card].”
The resilient Moore was also asked what she thought of the sudden revival in British women’s tennis.
“It’s fantastic. They are all my friends. It’s great to see everyone doing so well. We’re definitely helping each other out and trying to give each other encouragement. I do wish the best to all British players.”
The improvement in Moore’s grass court level is clear to see and she indicated the reasons behind her changes in her post-match press conference.
“I think I improved a lot over the last few years and it has come through a lot of hard work and I have definitely made a lot of team changes. I work with a very good life coach now and I think he’s made a real positive change.”
Broady expressed concern for the rainy conditions
Following Naomi Broady’s loss, she responded quite negatively to the state of the courts as a result of the weather. She additionally mentioned that conditions did not favour a player of her tall build.
“It was pretty tough to move today. It was slightly raining a little bit. Around the edges and closer to the net it’s pretty wet. I’m not the most agile of players anyway, so when it really gets wet I struggled with my movement today.”
A reporter asked how Broady felt about her form going into the most important event of the year for her – Wimbledon.
“The past month or so I have not won that many matches. I have lost quite a lot of close three set matches, but I’m taking confidence from (the fact) that most the girls I’m playing are higher ranked than me.”
Despite today’s loss, Naomi Broady is looking ahead to her fourteenth WTA event of the year as she prepares for Eastbourne – something she could not say twelve months ago.
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