Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic shake hands after today's match at Wimbledon. Source: Twitter/Wimbledon

Home » South Africa’s Kevin Anderson Proves He Can “Hang with the Best”

South Africa’s Kevin Anderson Proves He Can “Hang with the Best”

It was the day that South African KA nearly KO’d the world’s number one tennis player…but sadly it was not to be. The Serbian tennis champ managed to dodge a bullet and win the final set against Kevin Anderson in a match that was played out over two days. After starting off brilliantly with two sets […]

Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic shake hands after today's match at Wimbledon. Source: Twitter/Wimbledon

It was the day that South African KA nearly KO’d the world’s number one tennis player…but sadly it was not to be. The Serbian tennis champ managed to dodge a bullet and win the final set against Kevin Anderson in a match that was played out over two days.

Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
Kevin Anderson and Novak Djokovic shake hands after today’s match at Wimbledon. Source: Twitter/Wimbledon

After starting off brilliantly with two sets up yesterday, Kevin was poised to cause the biggest upset in this year’s Wimbledon by toppling the defending champion, with even the official Wimbledon page tweeting that Anderson was “tearing up the script”.

But although he held his own through most of the nail-biting match, the #14 ultimately lost to the #1 player: 7-6, 7-6, 1-6, 4-6, 5-7.

After fighting to win the match – and kissing the court in relief – Djokovic said: “This was one of the most difficult matches I’ve ever played here [Wimbledon]” and congratulated Kevin for serving “exceptionally well”. Within his first two games Kevin had served four aces (a point of contention for some tennis fans who complained through social media platforms that it brought back memories of Pete Sampras’ “boring” reign).

[quote_center]”So proud of my @kevinanderson18. You are a champ in my eyes. You proved you can hang with the best! I expect nothing but good things ahead!!” – Kelsey Anderson[/quote_center]

However  there was at least one rally that was described by BBC reporters as a “rally from the Gods”. Both men brought their A-game to Court No. 1 and Djokovic conceded that “it wouldn’t be undeserved” if Kevin had won the match.

The showdown began yesterday and was suspended just after 9pm UK time due to poor light, at 2 sets each. Today the match was delayed again for half an hour due to a brief shower.

The men won game for game. Both steely and determined. Both nervous. The South African unfortunately failed to convert two break points early on…and ultimately faltered in the 11th game, serving two double faults and allowing Djokovic to break him…and thus dash his Wimbledon 2015 dream.

South African tennis player Kevin Anderson with his wife Kelsey in London. Source: Twitter/KelseyAnderson
South African tennis player Kevin Anderson with his wife Kelsey in London. Source: Twitter/KelseyAnderson

Djokovic admitted that “at times I was almost helpless with my return. I tried to defend and use the opportunities when they were presented. I didn’t get many. It was high-quality tennis in the fifth set. I could have been out of it on Monday.”

[quote_center]”This was one of the most difficult matches I’ve ever played here” – Djokovic[/quote_center]

Kevin tweeted that it was “one of the toughest matches I’ve played, congrats to @djokernole. Thank you everyone for the support. @Wimbledon.”

Kevin Anderson may be out of Wimbledon this year…but he has displayed his determination and secured his place as a force to be reckoned with on the current tennis circuit.

And he was won the hearts of Africans everywhere with one of the most awesome fights by a South African sportsman in recent history.

In the words of his American wife Kelsey: “So proud of my @kevinanderson18. You are a champ in my eyes. You proved you can hang with the best! I expect nothing but good things ahead!!”

Kevin Anderson’s blog post on his Davis Cup decision.