Anderson overwhelmed after reaching highest ranking

Cape Town - South African tennis star Kevin Anderson said he was “thrilled” to reach his highest ATP ranking.

This comes after the 2.03m beanpole was on Monday confirmed as No 8-ranked player on the official ATP rankings.

Anderson’s parents, Mike and Barbara of Sandton, had just finished framing a poster of their son after he had reached the No 9 spot courtesy of winning the New York Open earlier this month.

Then, over the weekend, Anderson messaged his parents after seeing what they had framed and said: “You can update the wall poster on Monday again to me at No 8!"

He also took to Twitter to express his delight:

Wow ?? #top8 pic.twitter.com/2MBZxUP6Z8

— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) February 26, 2018

Anderson is a mere 455 points behind No 7-ranked, David Goffin of Belgium and with very few points to defend in the coming weeks, the South African could well find his ranking improve later in the year.

However, Anderson will be mindful that breathing down his neck is No 9-ranked Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) and No 10-ranked Jack Stock (USA).

This week Anderson is playing in the Mexican Open in Acapulco where he enjoyed a comfortable first round win over Radu Albot of Moldova, winning 6-4, 6-3.

Top 20 in the latest ATP Tour rankings:

1. Roger Federer (SWI) 10,105 pts

2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,760

3. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4,960

4. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 4,635

5. Alexander Zverev (GER) 4,450

6. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,810

7. David Goffin (BEL) 3,280

8. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 2,825

9. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 2,745

10. Jack Sock (USA) 2,650

11. Sam Querrey (USA) 2,595

12. Stanislas Wawrinka (SWI) 2,475

13. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 2,470

14. Pablo Carreno-Busta (ESP) 2,405

15. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 2,335

16. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 2,305

17. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 2,275

18. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,220

19. John Isner (USA) 2,205

20. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 1,985