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Cape Town - I was at courtside on Monday to watch Kevin Anderson’s entire Wimbledon fourth round, five-set emotional roller coaster on Court 18.
After the match I felt emotionally drained and a little flat after his 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-7 (11/13), 6-3 loss to big-serving American Sam Querrey.
Just how did Anderson feel after such an epic battle that was on a knife-edge for three hours and six minutes?
“I put a lot of energy into that match in terms of five sets.”
“It wasn’t the longest in terms of hours spent on the court, but there was an intense focus during such a fast paced match.”
There were plenty of booming serves from Anderson (he and Querrey currently lead the Wimbledon aces count on 99 apiece) that he felt the pain of his herculean serving effort.
“I felt fatigued in the shoulder,” Anderson confirmed in this post-match press conference.
Anderson fought like a tiger to keep himself in the match, but just fell short of reaching his first ever Wimbledon quarter-final.
“I saved so many break points and when it came down to it there were a couple of passages of play that cost me the match.”
It couldn’t have been easy having to play catch-up time after time to serve after facing Querrey’s onslaught from the other end.
“I felt my serving pace dropped off a little
bit and that I lost penetration,” Anderson confirmed.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the six-foot-eight, 31-year-old.
“There are a number of positives. I kept fighting. I’m hitting the ball as well as I ever have. I have a foundation to build upon.”
How does Anderson rate the chances of his victor in the next round against home favourite, Andy Murray?
“If he’s able to hit the lines with his first serves and continue to return well it will be tough for Andy.”
“One of the biggest servers in tennis up against one of the best returners. It’s going to be a great clash.”
Thanks for the entertainment this week Big Kev. I miss you and team Anderson already!
