Cape Town - South Africans have taken to social media to praise Kevin Anderson on his runner-up finish at Wimbledon on Sunday.

READ: Djokovic masterclass ends Anderson's dream Wimbledon run

Anderson, who will on Monday become the new world No 5, lost in straight sets to Serbian Novak Djokovic, who romped to his fourth Wimbledon title.

The 32-year-old Anderson became the first South African male in 97 years to reach the men's singles final at the All England Club.

Anderson's journey to the final will forever be remembered for his back-to-back marathon wins against defending champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals and American John Isner in the semi-finals.

The exhausted Anderson's total number of games played in his seven matches at Wimbledon set a new record for the most ever in one edition of the tournament.

Despite the match coinciding with the Soccer World Cup final, Twitter was in full force to acknowledge and praise the Johannesburg-born athlete.

Here's how Twitter reacted to Anderson's Wimbledon final:

Well done @DjokerNole on winning your fourth #Wimbledon Championship! And congratulations @KAndersonATP on a great tournament #WimbledonFinal pic.twitter.com/Mdszj6y1AS

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 15, 2018

Well done @DjokerNole!!! Proud of you @KAndersonATP #Wimbledon

— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) July 15, 2018

Still so proud of @KAndersonATP #ProudlySouthAfrican #winorlose ????????????

— Chad Le Clos (@chadleclos) July 15, 2018

Super proud @KAndersonATP well done boet!!! My girls and I screamed through every point in that 3rd set!!!

— John Smit (@JohnSmit123) July 15, 2018

Take a bow @KAndersonATP there is no winning or losing. There’s winning or learning. Congratulations on an amazing result. Carry your head high. You have the heart of a lion

— Roland Schoeman (@Rolandschoeman) July 15, 2018

Well done @KAndersonATP, a world class Wimbledon effort! ??????????????????

— Kyle Brown (@kylegbrown) July 15, 2018

Well done kevin still very proud of you bud

— Toks van der Linde (@toksvdl) July 15, 2018

Well done @KAndersonATP great effort , still a champion in our eyes ?????????????? #SAtakeABow ????#WimbledonRunnerUp18

— Juan_De_Jongh (@JuanDeJongh) July 15, 2018

Proud of ???? @KAndersonATP for his perseverance and sportsmanship. Sometimes it’s about the luck of the draw. All times it’s about preparation, hard work, and team work. pic.twitter.com/F8xLMyLTdO

— Hugo Van Vuuren (@hvgo) July 15, 2018

Sustained brilliance again by @DjokerNole And sustained class by @KAndersonATP #wimbeldon2018

— Courtney Walsh (@walshcee) July 15, 2018

Getting to the final was a great achievement Kevin Anderson. We are proud of you! pic.twitter.com/tweV3wYLza

— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 15, 2018

Kevin Anderson gracious in defeat as he acknowledges amazing fan support throughout the tournament and toasts to the future of SA tennis! #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ApObPVQBV3

— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) July 15, 2018

Considering the debilitating circumstances required to get there, Kevin Anderson's Wimbledon 2018 story is so much more about his tournament than the final itself. And it is a triumph. For his spirit of no surrender and striking humility, he deserves SA's vast admiration!

— Rob Houwing (@RobHouwing) July 15, 2018