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Johannesburg - South African tennis ace, Kevin Anderson, is at his highest ever world ever ranking of 14 after reaching the final of the Queen’s Club event in London at the weekend.
Anderson lost 6-3, 6-4 to world No 3 Andy Murray in Sunday’s final but moved up three spots in the ATP rankings.
Tennis South Africa (TSA) applauded the “gentle giant” of South African tennis for breaking into the world’s top 15 and reaching his 10th ATP final.
The national tennis body also congratulated Raven Klaasen, the country’s top ranked doubles player (No 25), for winning the coveted Gerry Webber Open at Halle in Germany with new American partner Rajeev Ram on Sunday.
The win in Halle was Klaasen’s seventh 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 is a contribution toward his team’s expenses.
TSA is keen to include Anderson in the line-up for the crucial upcoming tie against Ireland at Pretoria’s Irene Country Club from July 17 to 19, but is unable to cover the costs that Anderson requests to play.
The tennis governing body is therefore urgently seeking a sponsor to assist in the covering of the costs.
Anderson needs to make himself available for Davis Cup duty this year and next in order to qualify for the Rio Olympics. Anderson has made himself available subject to his expenses being covered.
“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.
The last time Anderson wore the green and gold was against Croatia in Potchefstroom in 2011.
TSA appealed to corporate South Africa to contact their offices should any interested sponsor be willing to invest into Anderson and 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.
