‘Our Kyle could be as big as Andy Murray’
THE Welsh family of the UK’s new tennis hero Kyle Edmund have revealed their pride after he reached the semi-final of the Australian Open.
The big hitting 23-year-old player beat world number three Grigor Dimitrov on his way to the semis of the first of tennis’ four biggest tournaments of the year.
When the new rankings are revealed tomorrow, he is set to be only a fingertip away from ousting injured Andy Murray as British number one.
“He’s a very down-to-earth boy, a lot like his father,” said Alun Powell, his Welsh great uncle.
Kyle’s dad Stephen Edmund was born in Maesteg but moved to Zimbabwe before going to South Africa, where Kyle was born in Johannesburg.
“He was playing so well, it’s a shame he lost out, but there you are,” Alun said.
“He has plenty of time in front of him.”
Few thought Kyle would get out of the first week.
But he came from a set down to beat the 2017 US Open finalist Kevin Anderson in the first round and followed it up with a series of blistering performances.
He met his match in former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the semi-final but has firmly established himself as a coming man.
Father of two and grandfather of one Alun, who still lives in Maesteg, was confident he could be as big as Andy Murray.
“I think he will be,” the 69-yearold said.
Alun was following Kyle on the radio.
“It was excellent, very exciting,” Alun said. “I’m proud of him, naturally.”
Kyle, who still has a lot of relatives in Maesteg, left South Africa with his parents when he was nine and moved to Hull in Yorkshire.
“This success won’t go to his head,” Alun said. “That’s not how he was brought up.
“He has a lot of respect and everything, which is nice in this day and age.”
Before he took up tennis Kyle was a gifted cricketer.
“He was such a good batsman at 11 they could not get him out,” Alun said.
“He once hit a six through a school window.
“But then his father got him into tennis and he was outstanding.
“Steven put him on courses and he ended up in a school in London.
“But if he had not taken it up he would have been an excellent cricket player. “I think he’s marvellous.” In December Kyle moved to Nassau, in the Bahamas.
“I was absolutely pleased when he reached the quarterfinals but when he reached the semi-finals it was amazing.
“And in that heat. It was 40 degrees, good God.”
The family were all rooting for him.
“I wish him all the best and all of us in Maesteg are willing him on,” Alun said.
“He’s got a lot of relatives in Maesteg.”
Val Powell, Kyle’s great aunt, said: “It’s a shame he lost, but it’s marvellous he got so far.”