British number one Kyle Edmund believes that the Wimbledon Men's tournament this year is his for the taking, as the British number one aims to go past the third round for the first time.
There's always a lot of pressure on Britain's number one tennis player going into Wimbledon and on the men's side this year that pressure falls on the shoulders of Kyle Edmund.
In part the 24-year-old's standing is because of Andy Murray's injury but he has been as high as 14 in the world rankings and is currently at 31st.
Advert
He heads into Wimbledon next week as the 30th seed in the tournament but he believes that he will win Wimbledon.
Kyle Edmunds is an ambassador for evian, a brand who are committed to becoming a 100% circular brand by 2025, which means all their bottles will be made from 100% recycled plastic.
Who do you think will Wimbledon?
Kyle: Me.
Advert
Anyone else?
Kyle: No, I always believe I'm going to win and Wimbledon is no different.
How do you think your seasons gone so far?
Kyle: My season overall, I wouldn't say has been that great, it's been okay. I had a poor Australia swing and that middle bit in Indian Wells/Miami, playing those tournaments were good and I felt I was happy again and playing and physically and as I got on to the clay I feel like I took a backward step and was not where I wanted to be, only won a couple of matches. I won a nice match in the first round but overall it's been up and down.
What does it mean playing at Wimbledon as a British player?
Advert
Kyle: "It's great because you know that people know you and they're there to support you. You're never walking on court as the guy who is playing against the crowd and they're always on your side. That's the best thing about it.
Playing at Wimbledon, even if you ask a player not from Britain, there's something about it. Certain occasions, certain stadiums, certain teams, have that aura, something you can't explain but you feel. You walk on site or you're playing at Wimbledon it has that feel straightaway. You know you're there, there's something extra, something a bit special about it. Being British adds even more on top of that. It's a real privilege. There's only a set number of years that I'm going to do this, I'm not going to be able to play there forever, so every year you know it's a real an honour to be playing at this tournament as a British player.
How do things change playing at home?
Advert
Kyle: Preparation around the tennis there's a big change because you have more commitments, sponsors, media requests that you have to do. You really have to be diligent with your time management, making sure you're putting aside time for training, time to do off court commitments, but you also need time for yourself, to switch off and chill a bit. You've got to be way more on top of it than normal.
It has it's advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages are being really on it with your time otherwise people can end up taking advantage of your time and I feel you can end up tired, you're a bit all over the place with what's going on.
The other part of it is playing at home in front of a crowd that's not something you get to do every week. I get to stay at home, I stay at my house for 4 or 5 weeks and that's not something I get to do for the rest of the year.
Advert
Last year you lost your third round match to Novak Djokovic on Centre Court, how was that experience?
Kyle: It was great. It was just my third time on 'centre' and every time has been a great experience. I'd played Novak a few times before, you get to understand how he plays and a feel of how he plays so that helped me before the match, knowing what he's about. It was a really good match, it was a high level first set but the second, third and fourth I just couldn't keep that level. He played very solid.
It was a good experience, playing on centre court with the crowd behind you, against a big name, it's the kind of experience you play for, those occasions are where you want to be. For me, as a professional, you look at how can I win those matches next time, how can I get better, you don't tend to look the occasion or atmosphere, you just look at what you can do next time.
That loss to Novak was just your first appearance in the third round. Is it frustrating that you haven't been further?
For sure I'd like to do better. At the same time you've got people saying clay is my best surface yet I've never actually got past the third round of the French Open.
2017 was the first time I'd won a round at the men's senior event so that was a big one because I'd gone out in four first rounds before that and each year it starts adding up but I managed to get it.
Last year I played the best grass court tennis I'd played before, I won two matches I expected to win, two matches on number one and centre court, and I played a good match against Novak but he beat me. I didn't feel I played badly, it was a good quality match and he beat me, he played well.
In terms of the third round, I'd like to do better but like last year I lost to the winner, so it helps you lost to a quality player.
Andy Murray's return will be on everyone's lips when Wimbledon starts on Monday but if Edmund manages to become the second British Men's winner of the century then he'll definitely be the name on everyone's lips at the end of the tournament.
About evian
evian natural mineral water comes from the heart of the French Alps, a unique geological site in the world. For more than 15 years, it travels through the rocks, where it is enriched with essential minerals. The brand has been working for over 25 years to preserve natural surroundings of the source, in an effort to preserve evian natural mineral water's exceptional quality for generations to come. Naturally pure and uniquely balanced, evian natural mineral water is a healthy choice throughout the day.
evian, a Danone brand, embraces the company's One Planet. One Health vision that the health of the people and the health of the planet are interconnected and therefore seeks to protect and nourish both.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Tennis, Tennis news, roger federer, Wimbledon, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic