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Watch Kevin Anderson Thanks South Africa, Vows to Carry on Fighting

Standing 2.03 metres tall, Kevin Anderson was the tallest man to ever play a Grand Slam tennis final but that’s where the brave South African’s advantage ended as he was swept away in straight sets by the hurricane force that was Rafael Nadal in the US Open on Sunday evening. Spain’s Nadal won 6-3 6-3 […]

By SAPeople
11-09-17 07:34
in Fab South African Stuff

Standing 2.03 metres tall, Kevin Anderson was the tallest man to ever play a Grand Slam tennis final but that’s where the brave South African’s advantage ended as he was swept away in straight sets by the hurricane force that was Rafael Nadal in the US Open on Sunday evening.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 10: Kevin Anderson of South Africa and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose during the trophy ceremony after their Men’s Singles Finals match on Day Fourteen of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Rafael Nadal defeated Kevin Anderson in the third set with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Spain’s Nadal won 6-3 6-3 6-4 in the battle of the 31-year-olds.

Despite the two players being the same age Anderson said he has always looked up to Nadal… figuratively of course.

‘I know we’re the same age but I feel like I’ve been watching you my whole life. You’re one of the toughest competitors in the game and one of the greatest ambassadors of our sport.’

Amongst the many people Anderson thanked – including his brother who’s supported him his whole life (playing thousands of hours together while his brother pursued the same dream), his wife Kelsey and his parents who introduced him to the sport, Anderson thanked South Africa and the SA fans he has seen in the stadium.

‘The support I’ve had from South Africa back home has really been overwhelming. I’ve seen the guys back here. You know – back home – thank you so much.’

Nadal congratulated Anderson for inspiring so many by coming back from his injuries and not giving up; and acknowledged Anderson’s ‘great team’… including his father in the audience, who Nadal revealed he had played a round of golf with at Wimbledon.

It was Nadal’s fifth title of the year, his16th Grand Slam title, and he won $3.7-million.

Anderson, bidding to become the first SA player in a Grand Slam since 1981 when Johan Kriek won the Australian Open, pocketed $1,82-million.

Anderson had never beaten Nadal in their four previous meetings and there was truly only one man in the final which lasted 2hr 28min.

Nadal only dropped 15 points on his serve during the entire match and never had to defend a single break point.

Nerves clearly got to the big South African as he made 23 unforced errors in the first compared to Nadal’s five.

Anderson still won the aces battle with 10 compared to one but the unforced errors told a different story as Anderson racked up 40 compared to Nadal’s meagre 11.

Experience clearly played a major party in Nadal’s victory with him playing his 23rd Grand Slam final and Anderson only his first.

Consolation will come in the knowledge that by reaching the final, he climbed 17 spots to No15 on the ATP world rankings.

Anderson said: ‘This isn’t the result I always wanted but I’ll keep fighting – like [my parents] always taught me – and I’ll be back.’

Sources: Sascoc.co.za, US Open

Kevin Anderson on court Interview after US Open Final vs Rafael Nadal

https://youtu.be/QY9ReCsgbiA