Former player Naomi Broady – whose brother is British tennis star Liam Broady – was targeted for nearly a year between January and December 2023 during a terrifying campaign
Naomi Broady was said to have been left in “distress” after she was subjected to a 12-month campaign of harassment, court papers show
BBC tennis presenter Naomi Broady was bombarded with Facebook messages from a crazed stalker – after he targeted her sister with bizarre paintings and gifts.
The former player – whose brother is British tennis star Liam Broady, 31 – was inundated with social media messages for nearly a year between January and December 2023 during a terrifying campaign. David Richardson, 39, appeared at Manchester magistrates’ court last month.
He pleaded guilty to the harassment of Naomi, 35, and the stalking of sister Emma Broady over a three-year period. He is said to have sent “multiple unwanted images and messages via Facebook and sending unwanted gifts, cards and paintings”. The campaign caused Naomi – who was part of the BBC‘s Wimbledon coverage last month and works as a commentator on BBC Radio 5Live – “serious harm and distress”, court papers show.
Former tennis ace Naomi previously played on the tour in the Mixed Doubles with her brother, British star Liam Broady
It comes after British number one Katie Boulter, 29, and US Open winner Emma Raducanu, 22, revealed they had been the victims of stalking campaigns. When the Mirror approached Richardson at his home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, he confirmed he had entered guilty pleas.
He said he had initially tried to strike up a relationship with Naomi’s sister, Emma, 37, and wanted to make a “positive impact” before asking her out. He said he went to school with Emma – but after she rebuffed him he began targeting Naomi.
Richardson said: “I wanted to try to win her over. I wanted to ask her out.. I was a bit out of practice with the girls… I’ve not been in a relationship. So I just bought her a Selfridges voucher and some flowers for her birthday. And then I didn’t ask her out. But then Valentine’s Day came along, so I bought her another Selfridges voucher and flowers, and then Christmas came along. You know, I sent it to her again, but she thanked me and said it really cheered her up.”
Naomi’s sister, Emma, was also targeted by the stalker who sent her bizarre paintings and pieces of artwork(Image: Getty Images)
Richardson has been banned from contacting the pair and visiting their Stockport homes ahead of sentencing at Manchester Crown court on August 18. Sources say it caused “serious alarm” to the pair. The source said: “It was terrifying. They were pleased the police took it seriously. Action has now been taken.”
Court documents on Richardson state he: “Between 13/9/2020 and 4/12/2023 at Stockport pursued a course of conduct, by sending multiple unwanted images and messages via Facebook and sending unwanted gifts, cards and paintings, which amounted to stalking causing Emma Broady serious alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities when you knew or ought to have known that your course of conduct would cause alarm or distress.”
Naomi began working as a BBC commentator for Radio 5 Live at the US Open in 2021 and starred as a Wimbledon pundit last month(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Samsonite)
They add: “Between 18/1/2023 and 4/12/2023 at Stockport, pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of Naomi Broady, and which you knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her in that you sent various unwanted messages on Facebook.”
Naomi is the latest in a long line of female stars who are being targeted by stalkers. Last year British number one Emma Raducanu was left in tears after seeing a man who had followed her to four successive tournaments in the stands during a match at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February.
Emma Raducanu, 22, was left physically shaking on court after a man followed her to four successive tournaments(Image: PA)
The man, who was removed, had given Raducanu, 22, a letter and asked for a photo in a coffee shop the previous day.
He was given a restraining order by Dubai police and his name was circulated around tennis authorities. Raducanu was previously the victim of a stalker who was given a five-year restraining order in 2022 after he walked 23 miles to her home.
Amrit Magar, 35, left the US Open Champion feeling she was “constantly looking over her shoulder”, Bromley Magistrates’ Court heard. He was arrested after her father Ian was alerted by a doorbell camera. Magar, from Harrow, north-west London, was also ordered to wear an electronic tag.
Elsewhere Boulter revealed her experiences of being followed and threatened in recent years. Explaining that “people have followed me at times” in the last 18 months, said that on one occasion after Queen’s, after picking up boyfriend and fellow tennis star Alex de Minaur, someone followed her in a car.
In an interview, she said she had received threats while competing at a tournament, saying: “One time in Nottingham, I had someone messaging me on social media saying: ‘I’m outside. I’m going to hurt you if you come outside’. I alerted the WTA, and they found the guy, who was actually on site.
“Things like this happen all the time. Obviously we are very well protected, which makes you feel safe. The WTA does a great job of being there for you with that. I do feel like we are protected as much as possible, which at least puts your mind at ease a little bit.”
Naomi began playing tennis at the age of seven. From 2004 to 2008, she competed on the junior circuit of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), including a notable appearance at the 2008 Wimbledon girls’ tournament, where she reached the quarter-finals.
She made her Grand Slam debut during the Wimbledon qualifying rounds in 2008 but was defeated by Rika Fujiwara. In 2009, Naomi claimed her first senior title in Grenoble, France, by overcoming top seed Youlia Fedossova.
Her breakthrough at a Grand Slam event came in 2014 when she received a wildcard entry into Wimbledon and secured her first main draw win by beating Timea Babos. Naomi’s performances at the Australian and French Opens have seen her exit in the first round, while she has advanced to the second round at both Wimbledon and the US Open in singles play (in 2014 and 2016).
In doubles, her best Grand Slam result came at Wimbledon in 2016, where she reached the third round alongside Heather Watson. In mixed doubles, she has enjoyed even greater success, reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon twice—once in 2014 with Neal Skupski and again in 2021 with Jérémy Chardy of France.
She began working as a BBC commentator for Radio 5 Live at the US Open in 2021 and has continued to provide commentary and analysis for the broadcaster throughout the latest Wimbledon tournament.
Naomi is a mum to twin boys born in December 2023.