NO QUARTER GIVEN
Edmund worries he’ll be mentally drained BEFORE he goes on court after coach’s plea to play before England v Sweden clash is ignored
WIMBLEDON have snubbed a plea from Kyle Edmund to play Novak Djokovic before England’s World Cup quarter-final today.
The British No.1 will take on the former world No.1 in the third match on Centre Court, which should start about 5pm.
The scheduling risks creating a surreal atmosphere if England’s game goes to extra time and penalties, or the first two matches end quickly.
Edmund wanted his clash with Djokovic to be given the 1pm starting slot, and his cocoach Mark Hilton warned the player finds it “draining” watching England games.
“In some ways it would be better if he was on first, because Kyle will want to watch the match, want to be involved in some shape or form. But it can be quite draining, just emotionally because you can’t help get involved with it,” said Hilton (below).
Andy Murray traditionally played in the Saturday tea-time slot – but he never had the problem of Scotland playing in a major tournament.
He did face Andy Roddick in 2006 at the same time as England lost on penalties to Portugal and the chair umpire had to ask the distracted Centre Court crowd to switch off their mobiles phones. Now advances in technology mean fans could be tempted to live stream the football while in the stands.
“I guess if Kyle is on court when it’s happening you might hear a few roars, oohs and aahs,” warned Manchester United fan Hilton. “It will be interesting to see what the crowd will be like.
“I’m sure it will be full but there will be some sort of atmosphere in there, which depends on the result. “Maybe more so if they win, if they lose maybe I’m not sure. It’s difficult to predict.”
As is this thirdround match. Djokovic leads 3-1 in the head-tohead, but Edmund (right) took their last meeting, on clay in May at Madrid. “When you beat someone, it always gives you that confidence, the belief that you can beat them,” said the world No.17. “It was a mentally a good thing for me.”
World No.21 Djokovic, who underwent elbow surgery after Melbourne, has improved since and reached the final of Queen’s Club last month. He tried to crank up the psychological pressure by claiming Edmund will carry the expectations of a nation as the last Brit standing.
But the pressure is also on the three-time Wimbledon champion who has not won a Grand Slam title since the 2016 French Open. “For sure Kyle can win,” Hilton said.
“He can go on that court with belief that he can win the last point. There’s no doubt that Novak’s going to be a real stubborn test.
“He’s got his work cut out, but I’m sure it will come down to some very small things.
“It’s whether he can execute his shots in the biggest moments, stay calm, which he has been doing so well. So I see no reason why he can’t win.”