Dad forgets to enter tennis star in French Open

British tennis has enjoyed a good start to the French Open, Andy Murray is in form and is expected to challenge for the men's title while Elena Baltacha and Heather Watson have made it to the second round of the women’s event, meaning it is the first time three Brits have made it that far since 1984. Yet it seems the success of the seniors won't be matched in the junior competition – British hopeful Liam Broady will miss the event because his dad forgot to enter him.

The 17-year-old was hotly tipped for success in the junior Open, having won a series of clay-court events in southern France and the junior Wimbledon doubles title in 2010. Already ranked in the world's top-750 at the senior level, the Stockport left-hander will now be turning his attentions to the grass season earlier than expected.

His father Simon Broady, who manages both Liam and his sister Naomi, has chosen not to accept the support of the Lawn Tennis Association and has developed his offspring's talents outside the tennis establishment. The downside, however, is that Broady Snr is solely in charge of admin.

While away in Uzbekistan with Naomi – who is close to breaking into the women's top 250 – Simon failed to get Liam's entry to the junior French Open in on time. Panicked pleas for a wildcard entry to the competition followed, but the French Federation refused to give Liam a place.

Fellow Brit Andy Murray has had no such problems progressing in the senior competition – the Scot cruised passed first round opponent Eric Prodon in straight sets, setting up a second round match with Italian Simone Bolelli, and he now appears to be over the slump that affected him after defeat in the final of the 2011 Australian Open in January.

And despite being ensconced in Paris, Murray admitted that events back in England had been occupying his attentions. Writing on his BBC blog this week he revealed that he had been hooked to the end of the Premier League. "The football was unbelievable, just an amazing afternoon; there were so many calculations going on and different teams in the relegation zone. It's a shame that Blackpool went down, I think that Ian Holloway's great value and a good coach.

"As for the Fantasy Football," wrote Murray, a confirmed addict who runs a league with friends and other players, "after a long season I finished in fifth place, 41 points off the top, after picking up a bit in the last few months. Outside the medal positions but still respectable, I think."

He, and the British public, would probably not be so pleased with a similar finish in the French Open, or for that matter Wimbledon. ·