ATP: Praise for Kevin Anderson: Kevin Anderson proves to be a great colleague

Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson showed himself to be a true sportsman at the ATP tournament in Tokyo. His Australian first-round opponent Matthew Ebden made the case public.

The proof that Kevin Anderson (32), ninth in the world rankings, is a fine colleague should not have been provided. Wherever you listen, there is nothing but positive to report about the South African who lives in Florida.

And yet it was Matthew Ebden’s concern to write down the latest chapter on “Fairness on the Profit Tour”. Starring Anderson.

Ebden told Instagram that Anderson had agreed to postpone his first round match against the Australian, who was still ill at the beginning of the week, by two days in order to enable the 30-year-old to recover.

“I’m not sure how many people would have done it,” wrote Ebden, who opened his post with the words: “Authentic people with character are hard to find.”

The game actually took place last Wednesday: The number 48 in the ATP ranking lost in 2:11 hours with 6:4, 6:7 (1:7), 2:6 against Anderson, who among other things got 22 aces.

Ebden wished the Wimbledon finalist good luck in writing for the rest of the tournament. The second seeded Anderson lost 6:7 (6:8), 6:7 (4:7) against the Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the quarter finals – but won many new sympathies.