Giants of grass spurred on by greenbacks

African youngsters into oncourt action, but instead these names remain foreign, while elsewhere in the world, the tennis legacy is kept alive and kicking, largely with the loyal support of local television.

The one man South Africans will still remember is Kevin Curren, the only South African to make it into a Wimbledon final, where he was beaten by a young Boris Becker all of 30 years ago.

With Anderson poised to again make a statement at Wimbledon, in the company of a dangerous line-up of other big servers, it is interesting to compare the two Kevins: Both have huge serves and groundstrokes; both have toppled top seeds, Anderson beating Stan Wawrinka and Curren taking out Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe on successive days, in straight sets.

However, the one major difference is that Curren, being a doubles player, was a better volleyer and constantly came to net. This is where Anderson falls short. And even Okker, when introduced at a recent clinic for prospective junior No 1s with “What big lesson can you teach them?” replied: “I’m going to show you how to volley because no one knows how to in this day and age.” (He agreed that Roger Federer would be an exception to the rule.)

We have probably never witnessed such a line-up of 6ft, 200km/h-odd servers this Wimbledon: Karlovic, Sock, Rosol, Muller, Raonic, Isner, Chardy, Dimitrov, Dolgopolov and Kyrgios – all pose as big a threat as Anderson in this respect. But more like Curren (and Federer) they collectively and continuously attack the net.

Thus seeded or not, each and every one is a potential “giant slayer” and should be regarded with more respect than Ashe afforded me when I was considered an outsider before I beat the American No 1 in straight sets on his home turf.

Nadal, Federer and McEnroe have learned the perils of under-estimating early-round opponents. This Wimbledon is going to be a clash of the giants and their missile serves.

As for Ashe, we should join the tennis world in paying homage to this great American.

As Andy Murray can testify, it is no mean feat to win one title on grass, let alone seven, as Federer has done.

Anderson still holds the South African flag high and we live in hope, but it is going to take a galvanised media approach, and Larry Ellison’s deep pockets, to reignite a national passion and belief in tennis here, and so far the Asians and eastern Europeans – whatever their motivation, money or pride – are leaving us for dead …