British tennis star raises US Open curiosity after spotting something unusual

British tennis player Liam Broady has raised questions over the courts at the US Open after arriving at Flushing Meadows. Broady, 30, is looking to make his first ever appearance in the tournament, having been knocked out in the qualifying stages for three consecutive years.

His campaign will start on Monday, but he has already taken to the practice courts in New York and assessed the surfaces which he and fellow players will be playing on.

And the world No.145 has taken to social media after spotting something unusual.

“Courts at US Open this year feel pace wise, consistency of bounce etc but does anybody know if there is a reason for these small holes in the surface?” He wrote. “Doesn’t affect the playability at all, just wondering if they’re there to drain water or just accidental…”

With the post, he uploaded a close-up picture of one of the courts, with the small holes clearly visible. He did see the funny side though, soon joking with one follower who claimed it mirrored the surface at Clarksfield Tennis Club in Oldham.

“It says on google Laykold Surface,” he added. “Feels great whatever it is, maybe they got the groundsman (from Clarksfield) over to Flushing Meadows?”

Laykold are the company who were chosen by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in 2020 to provide a new surface for the tournament. They were previously used at venues such as Miami.

The world No.145 also predicted that crowds could be treated to more pace from the courts this year. “Surface maybe bit quicker, nice skid to it, balls I think are slow, really good middle ground I’d say,” he posted.

Broady has not played in a Slam tournament outside of his own country since the 2022 Australian Open, where he went out in the first round. His only other non-Wimbledon slam appearance came at the French Open in 2016.

Broady was handed a wildcard at SW19 this summer, where he faced Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. But he was beaten in four sets, failing to match his run to the third round the previous season.

Following the qualifying tournament, the main draw will get underway on Monday, August 26. The men’s singles final will then conclude matters on Sunday, September 8.