Roger Federer has carved out his path to the Wimbledon semi-finals with the help of an unknown teenage British tennis ace, it was revealed today.
Federer is two victories away from his seventh Wimbledon title and — in part — he can thank 17-year-old Kyle Edmund for his progress.
The world number three, who has earned more than £50 million in prize money, has been practising with the Yorkshire-based British Boys’ number three at the All England Club.
When Federer, who will face champion Novak Djokovic in his semi-final, called on Kyle to help him prepare, fans scurried to see the Swiss star on a practice court.
Few, however, knew the name of the player “hitting” from the other side of the net.
TV crews clamoured to film Federer as he exchanged shots with Kyle and afterwards the Swiss star stopped to sign autographs.
As Kyle packed away his rackets just one young girl asking for his autograph out of curiosity.
But his father Steven, 44, stood watching proudly with Kyle’s sister Kelly, who hugged a ball which had been hit by Federer.
Kyle, tipped as one of Britain’s biggest future Wimbledon hopes, admitted he was nervous when he looked over the net and saw Federer. He said: “Roger is arguably the greatest player ever. It is a great feeling to be on court with him. But you don’t want to mess up.
“My friends keep asking how it happens that I get to play with him.
“I have played with him three times at Wimbledon as his coach knows my coach and he asked for my availability. Of course, every time Roger asks, you can’t say no.”
Kyle, who was born in South Africa and came to the UK with his family aged three, now trains at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.
He was knocked out in the first round of the boys’ competition this year.
He said: “Roger knows a few British juniors and always asks about this tournament or that tournament and asks how I’m getting on. He takes an active interest in it.”
Despite relishing playing with Federer, Kyle said he was still rooting for the first British men’s champion since 1936. “I’m supporting Andy,” he declared.
