FORMER British tennis No1 Kyle Edmund has announced his retirement at the age of 30.
Edmund, who was born in South Africa but raised in Yorkshire, England after moving at the age of three, made an emotional announcement on social media on Monday evening.
The former World No14 spoke candidly in a heartfelt video, which left him holding back tears.
He admitted that his body had “reached the end point” and was telling him to retire after struggling with a series of injuries.
Edmund was just the second British tennis player since 1978, after Scotsman Andy Murray, to reach the Australian Open semi-finals when he did so in 2018.
But the end of his career was heavily hit by three knee surgeries.
In his retirement video, Edmund said: “The last five years have taken a toll with three surgeries and other injuries such as wrist, ab, hip and foot in trying to get better, my body is telling me its finally reached the end point.
“Looking back I can say I tried my absolute best in my career and my hardest to get back to where I was. There are no regrets whatsoever.
“I have always been quite a determined person and I have no doubt I’ll apply those principles that I learned in my tennis career to whatever I do next and something I’m very excited about.”
Replying in the comments, Murray said: “Great stuff Kedders!”
Former British tennis star Laura Robson said: “Happy retirement kedders!!! Just the beginning.”
British tennis doubles specialist Julian Cash said: “Congrats mate! Amazing career and always had huge respect for how you dealt with the tough moments through injury. Wish you the best with the next chapter.”
Fellow Brit tennis star Marcus Willis said: “Inspired by how you went about your tennis, how you battled through your injuries, will miss watching that forehand. All the best fella. YNWA.”
Edmund’s Australian Open result was the best at a grand slam tournament, while his best at Wimbledon saw him reach the third round in 2018 before he ran into eventual title-winner Novak Djokovic.
However, Edmund was part of the Great Britain team which won the Davis Cup in 2015.
He also went on to represent the UK at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil and win two ATP Tour titles – the first in Antwerp in 2018 and then in New York in 2020.
After reaching the rank of British No1 in 2018, succeeding Murray, Edmund started to struggle with knee problems.
Edmund underwent the first of three procedures in 2020, sidelining him for the best part of two years.
It also unfortunately signalled the end of his time at the top, as Edmund never made it past the first round of a grand slam or ATP 1000 tournament again.
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