After three surgeries and 21 months away from tennis, Kyle Edmund is on a comeback trail.
The former World No. 14 will play his first tour-level singles match since October 2020 in Vienna, when he suits up at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.
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“It’s extremely rewarding to be back,” the 27-year-old said.
“There were long periods when I couldn’t see when I would be back. There were times when there was no progression, no improvement.
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“But I was willing to exhaust all avenues to get back. I didn’t pick up a racquet for five or six months. I just wanted to play tennis.”
Edmund eased his way back into tour life by playing mixed doubles at Wimbledon in June.
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He said that being back around his peers and getting a feel again for the environment of pro tennis was a blessing.
“I needed it, it had been such a long time,” Edmund said of his return at the All England Club.
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“To get a feel for it again, the match-day preparation and to feel those nerves again.”
He returned to the singles court last week as he competed in an ATP Challenger event in Winnipeg, Canada.
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Edmund made it to the round of 16 and coming through the qualifiers.
“It was just about being back out on the singles court,” he said.
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“I didn’t care where I played. It was my first singles match in such a long time. It wasn’t about the results, it was about playing a match and learning where I was at. It was a big tick box.
“I played three matches in a week and came away with some wins, so that was a bonus. Lots of positives to take away.”
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