LAS VEGAS, Nevada—Kevin Anderson came into the Tennis Channel Open ranked a career-best No. 175 and left with a higher high of No. 121 after reaching the final as a qualifier. It’s one step closer to his ultimate goal of reaching the top 10 – already a lofty ambition for a former college player, and Anderson is prepared to dream even bigger.
“I just want to work as hard as I can and see where that takes me, even if that means someday being No. 1,” the confident, affable 21-year-old said after defeating Robby Ginepri to reach the final in just his third ATP event. He didn’t drop a set in the main draw until he fell 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Sam Querrey in the final, though he did have to survive a third-set tiebreak in the final round of qualifying.
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Anderson joined the tour in the summer of 2007 after three years of college tennis at the University of Illinois.
“I never thought I would go to college, but the more information my parents and I learned about the American university system, the more we thought about it. Looking back, I think it was a really good decision because I was able to improve and mature as a player,” said Anderson, who was recruited by at least 15 schools.
At the time, Illinois had just won the NCAAs and its former coach Craig Tiley is South African, so Anderson’s heart quickly set on Champaign, Ill. He continues to maintain close ties to the program since departing for the pros. Between his matches he talks tactics with former college coach, Brad Dancer, and he proudly sports his Fighting Illini gear wherever he goes. And with only three semesters left to graduate, Anderson plans to return to Illinois and earn his business degree once his playing days are over.
Part of a wave of inordinately tall tennis players (like Ivo Karlovic, John Isner, Chris Guccione, and Vegas finalist Querrey), the 6’7” Anderson possesses an imposing serve. Until the final, Anderson led all players in aces (29) and first serve percentage (63), and in his semi-final against Ginepri he hit four consecutive serves that registered 134 mph or better.
“I am not used to having a speed gun on the court, so it sort of caught my attention when I saw that I had hit one 137,” Anderson admitted afterwards.
And yet despite his serving prowess, it was Anderson’s baseline game that impressed Ginepri the most. “I wasn’t expecting him to be that consistent. Nothing I did really affected him,” Ginepri said.
“People sort of know about my serve,” Anderson said, “but I have been a baseliner my whole life, so I’m comfortable staying back.”
In addition to his menacing serve and solid ground game, Anderson’s mental toughness has also been a revelation. His rookie status notwithstanding, he was calm and collected throughout the tournament, favoring an aggressive mentality on big points.
“I was thinking about Agassi at the U.S. Open [against Blake in 2006],” he said. When you have an opportunity you have to go for it. For me, it’s sort of instinctive.”
Unlike many promising junior players, Anderson eschewed academy life to train in his native South Africa where he was recently named to the Davis Cup team. In fact, his first training foray overseas came when he turned 18 and spent six weeks at an ITF facility in Spain. “My dad was my coach, so there was no reason to leave,” he said. “I guess college was sort of my academy.”
Anderson acknowledged that his unforeseen success in Las Vegas may alter his schedule, as his rising ranking will enable him to enter more upper echelon tournaments than previously planned. But he’s managing to take it all in stride.
“The biggest key for me is that I have the confidence to be playing at this level,” he said. I don’t feel like I’m overwhelmed by the situation. Right now, I am more motivated than ever.”