Miami Open notebook: South African Kevin Anderson still keen on tennis
Kevin Anderson knows all about being in the big-time when it comes to tennis.
A Grand Slam finalist at the 2017 US Open and 2018 Wimbledon, the 35-year-old South African is a former top-five ranked player with seven titles to his credit.
“Those were two great tournaments for me and not too many people have been in that position,” said Anderson, by phone, after securing a 6-3, 6-4 first round Miami Open qualifying match against Alex Bolt of Australia on Monday.
“I’m sure in years to come I’ll reflect back on great memories of that. But right now I’m still playing and I’m more focused on what’s ahead of me.”
Unfortunately, injuries started to creep up on Anderson.
By 2019, knee and hip issues were chief among his problems, and in February 2020 he underwent knee surgery, which coincided with the ATP Tour shutting down because of COVID-19.
Some would wonder why the now No. 91 ranked Anderson chooses to continue playing. For Anderson, who resides with his American wife, Kelsey, and toddler daughter, Keira, in nearby Gulfstream, the answer is simple.
“It’s a good question, what motivates me to keep playing,” Anderson said. “It’s been a lifelong journey for me that’s been very rewarding over the years. The last few years have been a little bit tougher for me with some injuries and COVID, and not finding the same form I’ve had in the past.
“I’m trying to work hard and get through the tough times and I have these opportunities to play right now.”
While the 6-foot-8-inch Anderson, who is known for his booming serve, has played far more qualifying events than he’d prefer since the tour returned to action, he also scored his seventh title at the 2021 Hall of Fame title in Newport, RI last July.
Always a person with an eye on making the world better for others, Anderson rallies the ATP Tour to limit the amount of one-time plastic products that the tour utilizes. He’s also involved in the Southeast Florida-based “First Serve” charity which aims to help kids in underserved communities.
“Plastic is one of things I’m interested in and try to make a difference,” Anderson said. “I try to create more initiatives around that. And ‘First Serve’ has a great model where they go in and mentor older kids and then the older kids mentor the younger kids.
“There are a lot of tennis players who have a good platform and it feels great to be a part of a group of players who enjoy giving back.”
BEING THE OTHER BJORN
American Bjorn Fratangelo’s first name was not a random selection.
His father, Mario, who was a tennis coach, so admired the Swedish sensation Bjorn Borg that 28 years ago he bestowed the name on his newborn son.
After winning a 6-2, 6-1 first-round qualifying match over Jay Clarke of Britain, the No. 158-ranked Fratangelo acknowledged he’s yet to meet the man he’s named after.
However, with Borg’s teenaged son, Leo, starting to play professionally a get-together between the two Bjorns could be in the future.
“There was one time I was close (to meeting him) in Estoril, I think in 2019, and he was there and they tried to link us up, but it didn’t work,” Fratangelo said. “If he’s around I would say hello, but for me it’s not a big deal. I’ve watched him play, and I’ve watched all of his old matches, but for me now, it’s just more my name.”
As a junior, Fratangelo won the 2011 French Open junior title, which was the venue the more famous Bjorn won six of his 11 Grand Slam trophies.
Thus far, Fratangelo hasn’t quite replicated Borg’s resume. In 2017, he posted his best tour result by reaching the semifinals of the Hall of Fame tournament, but frequent injuries and the pandemic stymied his progress.
Now he’s hoping if he remains healthy, and the pandemic remains at bay, his career could be on the upswing.
“I have the cliche goal of just improving,” said Fratangelo, who achieved a career-high ranking of No. 99. “But I just want to enjoy the wins and enjoy the travel again as things get back to normal.
“If I can get back inside the top 100 that would be the ultimate goal.”