British No.3 Kyle Edmund is eager to put on a good show in the quarter-final of the Aegon Championships against a player who has inspired him throughout his young career.
The 21-year-old was gifted a place in the last eight following the withdrawal of Paul-Henri Mathieu. Awaiting him in the next round will be top seed Andy Murray in what will be their first meeting on the ATP Tour. Playing in his first ATP Quarter-final on the grass, the 21-year-old is under no illusion of how tough the task will be for him.
“It will be a very tough match,” he said on Thursday.
“I will use what I know from practising with him, but he’s No.2 in the world for a reason. He is a very good player. I have a lot of respect for him and it will be a very tough match.”
Edmund is certainly close with his Davis Cup teammate. He first got acquainted with the world No.2 at age age of 14 during an Orange bowl trip in Florida. Since then they two have remained close, with the young Brit staying at Murray’s apartment in Miami and training alongside him in recent year’s.
Murray has been the pinnacle of British tennis with the series of records he has broken, most recently becoming the first male British finalist at the French Open since 1937. The example set by Murray is one that Edmund admires.
“He has been the biggest inspiration, I think it’s a privilege for me to have somebody like him to look up to.” The 21-year-old said.
“It’s very fortunate for me that he has allowed me to come into his environment.”
Technically Edmund has defeated Murray before, however, it was in an exhibition tournament at the Royal Albert Hall. The clash at Queen’s will be a whole new situation for the 21-year-old. Comparing the British No.1 to Novak Djokovic, the level-headed Brit plans to approach the match against on his own terms.
“When you go on the court, you try and play the ball,” he explained.
“That’s what I feel works best for me. It’s similar to a match up to Novak. You know it’s going to be a tough match. You know what he has achieved in the game.”
Despite his glowing admiration for the highest ranked British player, Edmund is still putting himself first. The upcoming quarter-final might be all about Murray and his antics, but Edmund is keeping focused on what is best for himself.
“At the end of the day, it is an individual sport. So you have to look after yourself and go and do the best for yourself.” He concluded.
Edmund might only be 21, but his mentality is one that is certainly similar to that of somebody that has been on the tour for years. This is a quality that has to potential to take him very far in the future.
