Kevin Anderson has reached the final in the second longest Wimbledon match of all times against John Isner. Spox gives an overview of the 32-year-old’s career to date.
A success in Wimbledon would be the greatest success of his career for Anderson. In the semi-final he won after 6 hours and 36 minutes with 6:4, 3:6, 6:7, 7:6, 26:24.
Only recently did Kevin Anderson celebrate the greatest successes of his tennis career. At a Grand Slam tournament last year, the South African caused a sensation for the first time when he surprisingly made it into the final. However, he lost against Rafael Nadal in three sets.
This year, the chances are good that Anderson, who is seeded 8th, will finish a season among the top ten for the first time in his career.
For a long time, however, it didn’t look as if the over 2 meter tall giant would fight its way to the top of the world. When he became a professional in 2007, he quickly fell out of the top hundred again after a short success. It wasn’t until 2010 that he won his first Grand Slam match.
Anderson became stronger and stronger during his career – and doesn’t see the end of the flagpole yet. “I still feel like I have my best tennis ahead of me. There are still areas of my game that I think can get better,” he said.
Away from the pitch, Kevin Anderson acts as Vice President of the ATP Players’ Council. In his role, he is committed to reducing plastic waste in the future. Players should no longer pack their clubs in plastic foil. “I think it’s a great opportunity,” Anderson told the Guardian in an interview. “Tennis is such a global sport, can connect with so many people. “I think it’s a very important issue where we can make a big difference.”
Before the marathon match against John Isner, Anderson’s victory over top favourite Roger Federer in the quarter-finals caused a sensation. “Matches like this are very special. I’ll always remember beating Roger here,” Anderson said after the game.
Anderson won a total of four tournaments on the ATP tour. A triumph at Wimbledon would be his first victory on grass.