Kevin Anderson is a South African tennis star who has held his own on the court against many world superstar players since his pro debut. He is currently ranked 6th in the ATP rankings. Anderson made triple history in 2018; After Brian Norton (1921), he was the first South African player to play in the Wimbledon final. He was ranked 5th (in August 2018) behind Kevin Curren, who was 5th in 1985, and he finished second in a long-term (6 hours and 32 minutes) tennis match in which American John Isner defeated him with a powerful left-footed shot in the semifinals.
He has a total of 6 career titles; 5 ATP singles and 1 ATP doubles and has competed in 4 major title championships, two finals (at US Open and Wimbledon 2018), as well as the 2008 Olympics and Davies Cup.
Kevin Anderson’s biography
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa on May 8, 1986, Anderson taught in Illinois, USA. His first exposure to racquet was at the age of 6. Kevin Anderson ran the circuits in his early years and was an active participant in the 800 meter races before turning to tennis full-time. He attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and was an active tennis player with the school team.
In his three active tennis seasons at the University of Illinois, he won the 2006 NCAA championship and was a three-time All-American.
Kevin Anderson turned pro in the early 2000s and persistently improved the quality of his game and ratings on the pro scene at the Futures Tournaments and Challenge Championships, where he made a name for himself and many admired his progress on the courts and style of play.
He put his name in the history books in 2015 after beating British favorite Andy Murray at the US Open, later crashing in the quarterfinals. His consistency across championships kept his ranking on the good side until he went under the knife in 2016 due to an injury that required corrective surgery on his ankles while trying to recover from knee and shoulder injuries he had suffered in the same year.
Kevin Anderson, currently coached by Brad Stine, rose from his many losses in 2016 and reached the final of the 2017 US Open, where he caught up to Rafael Nadal and lost to him as the tournament’s runner-up. He competed at the 2018 US Open but was eliminated in the round of 16 after being knocked out by Dominic Thiem of Austria.
The Kevdog or Kevduck as he is also known by the fans provided the world’s best player Roger Federer with 4 hours of hard play in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, a game he defeated by just 2 points and which 13-11 safely led him to the semifinals tapped with John Isner at the 3-day O2 Arena marathon and was ranked as the 3rd longest singles match ever.
He defeated him 6-3 7-6 to reach his first Wimbledon final against world champion Novak Djokovic. However, he lost the entire sets and finished runner-up for Wimbledon 2018.
Anderson has donated generously in the past to various charitable organizations and causes, including his $200,000 donations, which have been used to build schools and educate Zambia’s underprivileged children, among other things.
Family – parents and siblings
The superstar’s parents are Michael andBarbara Anderson, who worked as engineers but retired in 2007. His father, who was his first coach, now works in the hotel business. He taught his son how to use both hands in the game of tennis. His younger brother Gregory is also a tennis player and played collegiate tennis at Morehead State University from 2006-2009. He is currently a coach at a tennis academy in New York City.
Wife
Kevin Anderson is married to his college friend Kelsey O’Neal and they walked down the aisle on November 27, 2011 in Wilmette, Illinois after many years of being together. Kelsey is an author and tennis sports blogger who was born the same year as her husband – November 11, 1986 – in Glenview, Illinois. Her parents are Lynn and Timothy O’Neal.
The couple attended the same college and graduated in accounting and finance. She was part of the women’s school team and was very active in the sport until she graduated. Her sister Megan is also a University of Illinois alma mater and was the three-time captain of the University Athletics.
The couple have no children yet but are simply enjoying their marriage and they have a great working relationship as she is her husband’s manager.
Height, weight and other facts
1. He has an imposing physique and he said he is the tallest man in a Grand Slam final currently standing with his long hands and arms at a height of 2.03m (6ft 8in) which is an asset represents for him in the game of tennis.
2. He has a complementary weight of 94 kilograms (208 lb) which goes well with his tall stature.
3. As a child, he had surgery on his right elbow, during which he practiced tennis with his left hand and eventually became ambidextrous (ability to use both hands).
4. Kevin Anderson and Rafael Nadal competed in the junior circuits from the age of 12, although Nadal has more experience of Grand Slams than he does.
5. His total earnings to date are estimated at $14,588,933. He has earned approximately $4,347,352 in prize money and also benefits from additional income from endorsement deals and his sports website.