Kevin Anderson

It requires immense mental strength and resilience to hold your own and maintain a strong surge for glory when a tennis match drags on as long as 6 hours and 36 minutes. Patience and stamina are severely tested as the body starts aching with the battle for points getting more intense than ever. However, the clash between South African Kevin Anderson and American John Isner was one such unprecedented encounter, as both players battled it out for glory in a tie that witnessed its fair share of thrill and excitement. Anderson emerged victorious at the end of a hard-fought contest following a 7–6, 6–7, 6–7, 6–4, 26–24 scoreline, with the game setting numerous records. The semi-final match of the 2018 edition of Wimbledon marked the second-longest encounter in Grand Slam history, as well as the third-longest men's singles match ever. Not only this, the clash was further the longest semifinal game in Grand Slam history. Anderson's performance drew the limelight, with many hailing his never-say-die attitude as well as desire to continue battling it out even when the odds were against him. The South African was not in prime shape physically having pulled off an intense win against Roger Federer just 48 hours earlier.

This resilience and mental toughness has defined Anderson's career which witnessed the tennis player win seven singles career titles. The South African further showcased his capabilities in the 2017 edition of the US Open, defeating Sam Querrey in four sets to sail into the semi-finals. This was followed by Anderson registering a win against Pablo Carreno Busta in the semi-finals, which saw him reach his first-ever grand slam final. The South African suffered a defeat against Rafael Nadal in the final, but the performance was certainly a spirited one showcasing his valour to the Spaniard.

Anderson's height is a major factor in his gameplay, with the tennis player standing tall at 2.03 m. The South African is exceptionally accurate with his serve, ensuring more aces/service winners than his rivals to a major extent. Anderson's ratio in double faults is further minimal, which is an indication of his dominance with regard to serves. The South African attempts to remain positive as much as possible during encounters, using vocal exhortations like “Come on!” to boost his morale when the match is slipping away from his grasp.

“More than anything, I just feel like it (positivity) allows me to play my best tennis. People always say how it’s mental, a lot of tennis. We can all hit shots, so you try to find the right formula that allows you to play the best tennis. Being a bit more vocal, and bringing more energy, is something that — even though it wasn’t natural for me — it allows me to play better tennis. It’s something that’s getting much more comfortable. Now I’m allowing myself to acknowledge all the good shots I hit," he said in an interaction with The New York Times.

“You learn from the mistakes, but don’t let them get too much emotional attention. So I’m shifting that emotional attention to all the positives I do. It was some intense practices, but I’ve definitely gotten much more comfortable with it, and I can certainly see the benefits. If anything, it makes practice a little bit more enjoyable as well," added Anderson.

Grand Slam singles record

Australian Open: 4R (2013, 2014, 2015)

French Open: 4R (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018)

Wimbledon: F (2018)

US Open: F (2017)