Kyle Edmund withdraws from Sydney International due to a minor knee injury

Kyle entered the top-20 for the first time in May after playing in the quarter-final of Madrid and he had a few good results at the end of the season to secure his place in the top-15 and set big goals before the start of 2019.

A few days after winning that maiden ATP crown, Kyle was beaten in the second round in Vienna by Fernando Verdasco and that proved to be his last match of the year, withdrawing from Paris with a left knee injury to end his season and start preparations for the new season after a suitable rest.

Edmund still feels the pain in the left knee but it is nothing serious, taking a precautionary measure and hoping to be ready for the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne where he has to defend 720 points after playing in the semi-final in 2018, losing to Marin Cilic in straight sets.

The Briton competed in Sydney only once before, losing in the first round to Matthew Barton in two tie breaks two years ago. I am disappointed that I wont be able to return to Sydney International, Edmund said.

Its a great event and I enjoyed playing there in 2017, but I need to focus on my preparations for the AustralianOpen and do everything I can to be fit for the first Grand Slam of the year.