Former world No. 14 Kyle Edmund couldn’t hide his happiness after clinching his first main-level win in nearly two years as he is grateful to be back to playing tennis.
Edmund, 27, defeated Yosuke Watanuki 6-4 7-6 (8) in the Washington first round.
It was Edmund’s first ATP match since 2020 October.
After being out for nearly two years due to three knee surgeries, Edmund is back to competitive action.
“It’s extremely rewarding to be back here,” Edmund said after the win, per Tennis365. “Practicing with all the players, feeling the tournament intensity again and the routines that go with it. For so long, I was just wanting to get back for the love of the game. So right now, I’m just grateful I’m back playing tennis. I’m enjoying being here.”
Edmund made his comeback at Wimbledon
Edmund decided to use Wimbledon as a test as he played the mixed doubles there.
Edmund and his partner Olivia Nicholls didn’t really make it far at Wimbledon as they suffered a first round defeat but for Edmund the most important thing was that his knee felt good.
Last week at the Winnipeg Challenger, Edmund made the last-16 as a qualifier.
“I’m getting better, but it’s still so early on. This is how you build momentum- getting through matches when maybe you’re not quite at your best. But just being back playing in these types of atmospheres and feeling pressure- I didn’t have that for 20 months- so, it’s nice to feel it again,” Edmund added.
After beating Watanuki, Edmund was beaten by fellow Briton Daniel Evans in the second round.
Edmund was once a top-15 player and a Grand Slam semifinalist.
Edmund, who turns 28 in January, is still a fairly young player and he has time to achieve more success before he retires.
It remains to be seen how Edmund does in the rest of the North American hard court swing.