Edmund targeting success at Queen’s
Originally published on 23/04/18 00:00
The attack-minded Brit reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January, however he will be hoping his beloved Liverpool don’t fall at the same hurdle against Roma in the Champions League.
The ardent Reds fan will be glued to the action from Anfield on Tuesday evening as Mohamed Salah and friends host Roma in the last four of the world's premier club cup competition.
Liverpool have managed to bag five European Cups throughout their illustrious history – and the Yorkshireman concedes he struggles to contain his emotions while watching Jurgen Klopp’s brand of heavy metal football.
“When I’m at home I get nervous watching them because I’m on my own,” admitted Edmund. “When I’m at games I’m really into it, getting up, shouting with the rest of the crowd, the opposite to what I’m like on the tennis court where I’m pretty low key and keep myself to myself.
“When you’re on the court you’re in control of everything so I find it easier to control the nerves than when I’m watching my team and I’ve got no control.”
“I’ve been quite a bit this season. I was at the home leg against Man City. It was amazing. The atmosphere was incredible. It was the best football match I’ve ever been to in terms of the atmosphere. It felt like the crowd were playing against City themselves.
“Hopefully something similar will happen against Roma. Liverpool are good at playing at Anfield in the Champions League. Taking a lead to Rome is going to be the key – something to play for, fight for and hold on to in Rome.”
Edmund, currently enjoying the finest season of his career, has made a mixed start to the clay-court swing. He reached his first ATP final in Marrakesh, but lost to Andreas Seppi in the first round of the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Clay is clearly a surface that fits well with his game, but he is less at ease on the lush lawns of SW19. After the French Open he will quickly turn his attention to the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen’s Club, a venue that only invokes positive memories.
“It’s an amazing tournament – being in the locker room here at The Queen’s Club you see all of the old champions. It’s unique playing in front of a clubhouse rather than in a big stadium,” added the British No.1.
“It’s home to me, I live just down the road and it’s a great feeling. I had a great experience beating Gilles Simon here a couple of years ago and playing against Andy Murray in the quarter-finals.”
The 23-year-old fulfilled one of his objectives by reaching the final in Morocco earlier this month, but he is keen to go one stage further in the coming weeks and months.
“One of my aims is to win a tournament, but it’s another box ticked in my career to reach a final after losing a few semis,” said Edmund. “This year it’s been going well. I had a great result in Australia, and it’s nice to get going again after being ill after Australia.
“Making that final in Marrakesh has set me up for the busy time ahead – first the clay where I think I can play well, and then the grass at the Fever-Tree Championships at Queen’s, and then Wimbledon, which is obviously a big deal for me.”
Kyle Edmund will compete against Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in the Fever-Tree Championships at The Queen’s Club, 18th-24th June. http://www.fevertreechampionships.com
Images supplied by Jordan Mansfield, Getty Images.
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