Wimbledon 2015: Naomi Broady grateful for wildcard chance

Broady was beaten by Romania's world number three Simona Halep at Edgbaston last week

British number three Naomi Broady says receiving a Wimbledon wildcard will allow her to continue supporting herself on tour.

The 25-year-old made the second round in 2014, losing to Caroline Wozniacki and earning £43,000 in prize money.

"I'm so grateful I got a wildcard again this year," she told BBC Sport.

"It gives me a chance to defend the ranking points and earn some money. The money I earned last year funded me for a full year."

Broady, the world number 197 from Stockport, says she suffered from "a bad six months" in the second half of last year, but has been in good form on the ITF circuit in 2015, reaching three semi-finals.

"Last year my ranking dropped a bit but it was the second half of last year that I didn't do that well," she said.

"It's great for me now because I don't have any ranking points to defend - I've got my confidence back again through the first six months of this year."

Broady came close to causing an upset in the first round at the Aegon International in Eastbourne on Sunday, losing to top 50 player Sloane Stephens after a third set tie-break.

"Overall I'm pleased," she added. "If you look on paper she should beat me quite comfortably so I'll take confidence from it.

"I am still ranked lower than a lot of the other girls, unless I play a qualifier who's ranked lower than I am, so there is no pressure on me.

"I can go out and enjoy it as we don't get to play in front of a home crowd very often. It was a such an amazing experience last year so I hope to recreate the feeling again."