Cape Town – South African tennis ace Kevin Anderson moved up one place to reach his highest-ever world ever ranking of 14 after reaching the final of the AEGON Championships at the famed Queens Club in London, where he lost in the final to world number three Andy Murray of Britain in Sunday’s final.
In a statement, Tennis South Africa (TSA) congratulated the “gentle giant” for breaking into the world’s top 15 and reaching his 10th ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) final.
The national tennis body also congratulated Raven Klaasen, the country’s top ranked doubles player (25), for winning the coveted Gerry Webber Open at Halle in Germany with new American partner Rajeev Ram also on Sunday. The win in Halle was Klaasen’s 7th career doubles title and his first with Ram.
There was also confirmation from TSA that Anderson had made himself available to play Davis Cup for his country on condition that there was a contribution toward his team expenses.
But TSA said: “As much as TSA would love Anderson to be included in the line-up for their crucial upcoming tie v Ireland at Pretoria’s Irene Country Club from 17 to 19 of July, they are unable to cover the costs that Kevin Anderson requires to play and are urgently seeking a sponsor to assist them cover costs.”
Anderson last represented South Africa in a Davis Cup match in against Croatia in Potchefstroom in 2011 and had in recent times made noises about considering dual citizenship and opting to play for the United States as his wife is American and his training facilities are in Florida.
But the hard-serving right-hander, who had needed to make himself available for Davis Cup duty this year and next year in order to qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016, has now opted to make himself available subject to his expenses being covered by the national body.
“We have until 10 days before the tie to name our team to play Ireland according to Davis Cup rules and are doing all we can to secure a sponsor for Kevin to secure him as part of the team,” confirmed Gavin Crookes, president and acting CEO of TSA.
TSA appealed to corporate South Africa to contact their offices should any interested sponsor be willing to invest in Anderson and the country’s Davis Cup.
“Regardless of whether a sponsor could be sealed, signed and secured, Anderson has voiced his commitment to his country of birth South Africa and TSA have said they will support Anderson and agree to sanction Anderson to play in next year’s Olympics,” the tennis body concluded. - ANA