United Kingdom: Kyle Edmund has said he is aware of the expectations upon him as he prepares for his latest tilt at success at Wimbledon.
British No 1 also says hopes for Andy Murray should be realistic as he returns from long-term injury
The Briton has never got beyond the second round at his home Grand Slam event – which begins next week – but has steadily risen up the world rankings in the past six months and currently lies in 17th position.
A combination of Edmund’s improvement and Andy Murray’s injury problems have resulted in the 23-year-old establishing himself as Britain’s No 1 male player.
Edmund accepts his enhanced status brings enhanced expectations, saying: “I’m aware there’s more attention and people talking. I’m just going to do my best, that’s all I can do.
“All I’ve done is try to improve, that’s all I know really. Doing something different probably won’t work.”
Given his relatively poor record at Wimbledon, Edmund accepts he is not the favourite for the title – although he is not ruling himself out.
“The obvious one would be Roger Federer. He did that same thing last year – missed the clay and came to the grass. He will be favourite,” said Edmund.
“Alexander Zverev’s been really consistent in the clay-court season. I imagine it will be the similar names, but it would be nice if I could be somewhere around there.”
Edmund is playing in the Nature Valley International in Eastbourne this week, and the draw has handed him a clash with Andy Murray – provided both players get through their first-round encounters.
He says he is pleased to see his friend return after nearly a year out with injury, but insists hopes at Wimbledon should be realistic after Murray spent so long out of the game.
“He knows what it’s like to win a Grand Slam and experience five-set matches, so he will set his expectations realistically,” said Edmund.
“As a fan, it will be great to see him back. It’s never nice to see someone out with injury, especially someone you know on a personal level.
“He’s doing everything he can to play at Wimbledon. It’s tough because he is one of the best grass-court players of all time but he’s not played many matches. It’s probably not fair to set expectations on him.”
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