Glover eats humble pie
TENNIS South Africa (TSA) chief executive Richard Glover has extended an olive branch to Kevin Anderson by admitting the organisation didn’t do enough to support him earlier in his career.
Anderson‚ 31‚ on Sunday became the first South African in the open era to play in a Grand Slam singles final‚ at the US Open in New York.
World number one Rafa Nadal won the match 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to claim his 16th Grand Slam title.
But it was Anderson’s road to the final that captured SA’s imagination and led to some introspection at TSA. Glover has only recently taken up the position of CEO‚ and one of his priorities is to entice Anderson to reconsider his selfimposed Davis Cup absence‚ which has stretched to six years now.
By admitting some TSA faults‚ he is sending a positive message of reconciliation to Anderson.
“I only joined TSA towards the end of last year‚ so I have little in the way of first-hand experience of what has happened historically between Kevin and TSA‚” said Glover.
“However‚ after having spoken to Kevin‚ his mother‚ as well as several TSA stalwarts‚ who have been in the system for years‚ I have come to the conclusion that – while our federation has supported Kevin more than most people realise‚ on balance we have not supported him enough.
“Thank you Kevin. Thank you for all you have done and all you are doing for tennis in South Africa.
“In short‚ both he and his family have made huge sacrifices to get him to where he is today.
“This is their triumph ours.
“Indeed‚ the reality is that Kevin has long since passed through our tennis structures and he doesn’t need assistance from TSA any more – but we need him.”
That last point is a valid one because with Anderson’s recent success at Flushing Meadows having raised the sport’s profile‚ TSA could use the new world number 15 to help grow the sport.
“I’ve had a lot of support from back home and my biggest hope is that I’m able to inspire some kids to play tennis‚” said Anderson.
“It’s tough coming from South Africa‚ where we are so far from the scene‚ so it makes me feel good that I can fly the flag and show them that if you work hard you can get here.” — DDC – not