TICKTON tennis ace Kyle Edmund has been Andy Murray's secret weapon as the Scot prepared for today's Wimbledon semi-finals in the men's singles.
Murray has been using the 18-year-old as a regular practice partner.
He is full of praise for Kyle, who will today play in the boys' singles semi-finals for a shot at becoming the first British male to win the junior title in over 50 years.
Murray said: "I've hit with Kyle quite a few times. He is a hard worker.
"He wants to be a professional tennis player. He puts in the effort on the court and in the gym. That's one of the most important things.
"If he keeps doing those things right, then he will give himself the best chance of becoming a very good professional tennis player."
Murray faces Jerzy Janowicz today for a place in the men's final on Sunday.
Kyle played Janowicz on his senior Wimbledon debut in the first round.
As a result, Murray will use Kyle not just as a training partner but also a sounding board ahead of his own showdown with the Polish player.
But Kyle revealed the man who calls the shots during their practice sessions is Murray's coach, Ivan Lendl.
He said: "We do whatever Ivan says to do. We do a lot of basic drilling, a lot of (running) cross-court, lines, volleys and serves.
"It's just basic drills, nothing too complicated. It's good quality and good quantity as well. It's good for me to learn that they are just doing very basic but effective stuff.
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"For me to actually hit with them is very fortunate for me and has definitely helped me. "It has really given me an insight into the tour level."
The ex-Beverley Grammar School boy also said he and Murray rarely speak on court.
He said: "He is busy focusing on himself and I'm busy focusing on myself.
"Ultimately, the fact he keeps asking me back is nice. It shows that I'm hopefully giving him a good hit. You don't take it for granted. Each time he asks you back you take as much from it as you can."
The teenager has entered five separate competitions at Wimbledon, spread across both junior and adult levels.
Despite losing on his men's singles debut, a gutsy performance underlined why he has been hailed as the most promising British player to emerge since Murray.
But Kyle's parents, Steven and Denise, are careful not to put pressure on him.
Mr Edmund said: "We are all minded not to get too carried away, because when this week is over it will be back to the grindstone.
"He will still be only 380 in the men's rankings and this will be his last junior Wimbledon.
"I think it's more about the work ethic, rather than the stature of the player.
"We have seen the change in Andy Murray's physique over the last six or seven years and clearly that gives Kyle an indication of the level of fitness and strength that he needs to get to."
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