KYLE Edmund showed his immense maturity by taking a leaf out of Boris Becker's book following his semi-final defeat in the boys' singles at Junior Wimbledon yesterday.
In 1987 Becker, a three times Wimbledon men's singles champion, refused to get downhearted after losing to unknown Australian Peter Doohan at the All England Club in the second round, uttering his famous quote "I didn't lose a war. Nobody died. I lost a tennis match."
After losing his semi 6-4 6-4 to Gianluigi Quinzi of Italy the 18-year old Edmund from Tickton evoked memories of Becker by saying "I just lost a tennis match, it's not the end of the world," before smiling.
To be fair he had good reason to be cheerful.
Although Edmund lost in the singles he enjoyed a straight sets win in the quarter-finals of the boys' doubles competition, partnering Frederico Ferreira Silva to a 7-6(3) 6-3 win over Clement Geens and Noah Rubin.
Edmund also believes that he has benefitted enormously from the whole Wimbledon experience which saw him compete in an unprecedented five different competitions, including the men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.
"It has been so valuable for how I move on and what I learn from it," he said.
"It's important not to get down because it (Wimbledon) has been so good for my experience.
"To play on the tour level against some top guys and have some success and tight matches, I couldn't ask for anything more."
Of his singles defeat, Edmund said: "The reason I didn't win is because I didn't take my chances.
"In the first set, at 3-2 to me, I had 15-40 in my favour.
"Then at 4-3 when he was serving I had a lot of break points and just didn't take them.
"It was a tight match, just two breaks of serve, but he deserved to win."
Edmund and Silva will today go up against Enzo Couacaud of France and Stefano Napolitano of Italy with a place in the boys' doubles final at stake.
"It's another match with 'Freddy' who I love playing with, and another match at Wimbledon which I love playing at," Edmund added.
"I think that makes it 11 matches (at this year's Wimbledon) so it has been a busy time, but I feel I've gone up a level. I'm enjoying it."
