Andy Murray deserves chance to retire from tennis on a high, says Kyle Edmund

Murray last played competitively at the Australian Open in January
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Kyle Edmund has said he is delighted Andy Murray is returning to competitive tennis on Thursday at Queen’s, saying the former world number one “deserves to go out playing.”

Edmund, who took over the mantle of British No 1 from his friend and mentor, said there is a “lot of anticipation” about the 32-year-old’s return to the sport after his six-month hiatus due to injury.

Murray in January tearfully revealed he planned to quit the sport by the end of the summer because of long-standing hip problems.

However after going under the knife on January 29, Murray is teaming up with Feliciano Lopez, which he hopes will be a springboard back to competitive singles before the end of the year.

Edmund who previously described Murray as his “biggest role model”, admitted there would be a “high” at the LTA Fever Tree Championships when Murray takes to the court.

He told the Standard: “100 per cent everyone will want to see him at Queen’s. He is a big name and he has been a big name for so long. There will be a lot of anticipation and I do not know how he is or how he is playing.

“He’s playing doubles which I think is him breaking himself back in. He deserves to get another game and to go out playing. Everyone wants to stop on a high. He deserves that.”

South African-born Edmund, 24, who is now based in London, said stepping in to two-time Wimbledon champion Murray’s shoes and becoming British No 1 had its downsides - but said he has learnt how to deal with the pressure of being in the spotlight.

All eyes are set to be on Edmund as he prepares to take on Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first Queen’s match on Wednesday. “To be British number one... this [the media attention] is part of it. It’s only temporary, all the extra attention and the people wanting to write about you.

“It is only a few months and then it’s back to a quiet life.”

Speaking at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, where he is training, Edmund said he enjoyed playing on the “intimate” courts at Queen’s compared to Wimbledon.

“It is much smaller so it is really intimate with the fans. They are much closer to the tennis, and the practice courts you see some great people.

“The main court is unique in how intimate it is. Players really get to live in the match and the atmosphere is amazing. That’s what any player wants - atmosphere and energy.”

* The LTA Fever Tree Championships at Queens, takes place from 17-23th June 2019 – grounds admissions for just £14 are available fevertreechampionships.seetickets.com

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