Don’t count me out just yet, says Anderson
South African wants to build on US Open run
New York – Kevin Anderson says don’t count him out just yet, even after an impressive two-week run to his first Grand Slam final ended in failure by losing to Rafael Nadal in the US Open final.
The big-serving 31-year-old fell to the top-ranked Spaniard 6-3 6-3 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, never managing a break-point chance in falling to 0-5 lifetime versus the 16-time Slam winner.
“I’d love to build on these two weeks,” Anderson said.
“It was very difficult, but I was able to find my way all the way into the finals. I’ll work very hard to hopefully give myself another opportunity.
“A lot of talk about enjoying the experience and stuff. It was very tough, but definitely a part of that were a few moments that were pretty special.
“There were a few lessons I learned from him [Nadal]. When I reflect back in the next little while, I think a lot of the good memories will definitely surface.”
Anderson had never reached a Slam semifinal before this week let alone a title match. His best prior Slam run was to the 2015 US Open quarterfinals.
He was the first South African in the US Open final since Cliff Drysdale in 1965 and in any Slam since Kevin Curren at the 1984 Australian Open.
With his run to the finals, Anderson will jump to 15th in the new rankings despite hip, thigh, leg and elbow injuries that forced him out of four tournaments this year and a fourth-ranked French Open match against Marin Cilic.