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| Tennis chiefs optimistic about 'new Andy Murray' before Wimbledon debut | Tennis chiefs optimistic about 'new Andy Murray' before Wimbledon debut |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| He is not the first, and is unlikely to be last, to be burdened with the tag of the "new Andy Murray" as British tennis renews its annual quest for some depth to the men's game beyond its standard bearer. But those closest to Kyle Edmund, who makes his senior Wimbledon debut on Monday, firmly believe that the unassuming 18-year-old has the attributes to cope. | He is not the first, and is unlikely to be last, to be burdened with the tag of the "new Andy Murray" as British tennis renews its annual quest for some depth to the men's game beyond its standard bearer. But those closest to Kyle Edmund, who makes his senior Wimbledon debut on Monday, firmly believe that the unassuming 18-year-old has the attributes to cope. |
| His predecessors have passed through the All England Club every year. Some have won junior Grand Slams; others have been talked up by highly paid Lawn Tennis Association executives keen to justify the way they invest the millions that pour into the sport every year via the gates and tills of Wimbledon; still others have been unlucky with injury. But to the frustration of all involved, no British male tennis players have emerged over the past decade to suggest the success enjoyed by Murray is anything other than an anomaly. | His predecessors have passed through the All England Club every year. Some have won junior Grand Slams; others have been talked up by highly paid Lawn Tennis Association executives keen to justify the way they invest the millions that pour into the sport every year via the gates and tills of Wimbledon; still others have been unlucky with injury. But to the frustration of all involved, no British male tennis players have emerged over the past decade to suggest the success enjoyed by Murray is anything other than an anomaly. |
| But in Edmund's case a French Open junior doubles title to go with an earlier US Open junior doubles victory, a decent showing at Queen's and victory over the world No 82 at Eastbourne, before a narrow defeat in the second round, have raised hopes and his progress is understood to have caught the eye of Murray. | But in Edmund's case a French Open junior doubles title to go with an earlier US Open junior doubles victory, a decent showing at Queen's and victory over the world No 82 at Eastbourne, before a narrow defeat in the second round, have raised hopes and his progress is understood to have caught the eye of Murray. |
| Ranked 442 in the world (rising steadily from 1,309th a year ago), Edmund has been handed a tricky tie against the big serving Polish 24th seed Jerzy Janowicz for his first appearance in the main Wimbledon draw. He said he was determined to enjoy the experience: "Ever since you start playing tennis it's your dream to be here. To be playing the Futures and juniors, and then to be around these sort of players is different. So it'll be a great experience." | Ranked 442 in the world (rising steadily from 1,309th a year ago), Edmund has been handed a tricky tie against the big serving Polish 24th seed Jerzy Janowicz for his first appearance in the main Wimbledon draw. He said he was determined to enjoy the experience: "Ever since you start playing tennis it's your dream to be here. To be playing the Futures and juniors, and then to be around these sort of players is different. So it'll be a great experience." |
| Edmund, who has played three times in the junior tournament at Wimbledon, was born in Johannesburg but returned to his family home in Yorkshire at the age of three and moved full-time to the LTA's National Tennis Centre in Roehampton as a teenager. | Edmund, who has played three times in the junior tournament at Wimbledon, was born in Johannesburg but returned to his family home in Yorkshire at the age of three and moved full-time to the LTA's National Tennis Centre in Roehampton as a teenager. |
| The state-of-the-art NTC has often been held aloft as a sign that we are too soft on our future tennis stars, allowing them to slip into a cosy subsidised existence when those from other countries are grafting to establish themselves on the rungs beneath the full ATP tour. But Edmund, who has spoken about his abstinence from alcohol and determination to make the necessary sacrifices to make the grade in a manner reminiscent of a younger Murray, has chosen a challenging schedule. | The state-of-the-art NTC has often been held aloft as a sign that we are too soft on our future tennis stars, allowing them to slip into a cosy subsidised existence when those from other countries are grafting to establish themselves on the rungs beneath the full ATP tour. But Edmund, who has spoken about his abstinence from alcohol and determination to make the necessary sacrifices to make the grade in a manner reminiscent of a younger Murray, has chosen a challenging schedule. |
| "The schedule has been tough, very tough at the start of the year. It's been a development schedule, to play matches similar to this, so it's not a big surprise when I get here," he said at Eastbourne after defeating the world number 82 Kenny de Schepper in only his second appearance on the senior tour. "I could have gone to countries where there are cheaper points, easier points, people not so highly ranked. Me and my coach have always tried to think long term. There's a long way to go." | "The schedule has been tough, very tough at the start of the year. It's been a development schedule, to play matches similar to this, so it's not a big surprise when I get here," he said at Eastbourne after defeating the world number 82 Kenny de Schepper in only his second appearance on the senior tour. "I could have gone to countries where there are cheaper points, easier points, people not so highly ranked. Me and my coach have always tried to think long term. There's a long way to go." |
| Martin Weston, the LTA's men's tennis manager overseeing junior development, said he was "optimistic but realistic" about the prospects of Edmund and the rest of his cohort, most of whom were last week defeating the US in a junior international tie rather than preparing for Wimbledon. "We've got a group of boys who were born in 1995 that have shown indications of being international class. Edmund has pushed ahead of that group, putting himself in the fast lane of world tennis," he said. | Martin Weston, the LTA's men's tennis manager overseeing junior development, said he was "optimistic but realistic" about the prospects of Edmund and the rest of his cohort, most of whom were last week defeating the US in a junior international tie rather than preparing for Wimbledon. "We've got a group of boys who were born in 1995 that have shown indications of being international class. Edmund has pushed ahead of that group, putting himself in the fast lane of world tennis," he said. |
| "They are in the top 60 or 70 in the world and competing at the junior grand slam level. They are good physical specimens, they have the right attitude and they have good game development. You have to be physically strong, mentally tough and have an aggressive game." | "They are in the top 60 or 70 in the world and competing at the junior grand slam level. They are good physical specimens, they have the right attitude and they have good game development. You have to be physically strong, mentally tough and have an aggressive game." |
| Murray credits his decision to strike out for Spain at 15 as a key moment in his career and Edmund similarly has pledged to stretch himself and learn his craft abroad on clay rather than the indoor courts in England. | Murray credits his decision to strike out for Spain at 15 as a key moment in his career and Edmund similarly has pledged to stretch himself and learn his craft abroad on clay rather than the indoor courts in England. |
| He has also been boxing at Hooks Gym in London in an attempt to improve his footwork and speed, while working on his strength and conditioning with members of Team Murray to cope with the step up from competing against boys to men. | He has also been boxing at Hooks Gym in London in an attempt to improve his footwork and speed, while working on his strength and conditioning with members of Team Murray to cope with the step up from competing against boys to men. |
| The days when a 17-year-old wunderkind like Boris Becker could come from nowhere and storm Wimbledon are all but gone for good in the men's game, where the huge riches on offer and improved fitness of the players has led to a tendency to play into their 30s. But Edmund's steely focus and determination to put in the hard yards has impressed those closest to him. | The days when a 17-year-old wunderkind like Boris Becker could come from nowhere and storm Wimbledon are all but gone for good in the men's game, where the huge riches on offer and improved fitness of the players has led to a tendency to play into their 30s. But Edmund's steely focus and determination to put in the hard yards has impressed those closest to him. |
| "One of Kyle's defining characteristics, and I've seen him from a very young age, is his application. Whatever he is working on, he throws himself headfirst into it and improves," said Weston. "It's a fantastic tool for me to use with his peer group. He has excellent attitude and a fearlessness." | "One of Kyle's defining characteristics, and I've seen him from a very young age, is his application. Whatever he is working on, he throws himself headfirst into it and improves," said Weston. "It's a fantastic tool for me to use with his peer group. He has excellent attitude and a fearlessness." |
| Roger Draper, the chief executive of the LTA, whose £640,000 pay packet and bullish defence of his tenure have a lightning rod for those who feel the grassroots of the sport have been insufficiently nurtured, will leave his post shortly after Wimbledon. His successor will hope that Edmund or one of his teenage counterparts finally comes good to correct an imbalance in the men's game that Tim Henman has described as a national embarrassment. | Roger Draper, the chief executive of the LTA, whose £640,000 pay packet and bullish defence of his tenure have a lightning rod for those who feel the grassroots of the sport have been insufficiently nurtured, will leave his post shortly after Wimbledon. His successor will hope that Edmund or one of his teenage counterparts finally comes good to correct an imbalance in the men's game that Tim Henman has described as a national embarrassment. |
| "I want the British public to know there are some heir apparents behind Andy," says Weston. "But I also want to educate the public that the sport is growing and more countries are bringing players on to the arena well-prepared and ready to go." |