Sponsor needed to secure Anderson
World No 14 could play for SA if money is right, schedule allows
KEVIN Anderson will represent South Africa at the crucial Davis Cup tie against Ireland in Pretoria next month – if Tennis South Africa can stump up the cash he wants and if his busy schedule allows it.
The US-based ace, who finished runner-up at the Aegon Championship at Queen’s Club in London at the weekend, is negotiating with TSA but the federation yesterday appealed for a sponsor to come to the rescue.
Anderson himself was yesterday non-committal about representing South Africa at the Davis Cup and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Speaking from the United Kingdom yesterday, ahead of the Wimbledon tournament starting next week, the 29-year-old Johannesburg-born player could not confirm whether he would make himself available for Rio 2016 until discussions surrounding certain conditions with TSA relating to his playing in the Davis Cup had been finalised.
While his new world ranking of 14 easily meets the one Olympic qualification criterion, there is doubt about his eligibility in terms of another criterion that requires players to be part of the final nominated Davis-Fed Cup team “at the time of the draw, and [be] present at the tie, on a minimum of three occasions in the four-year Olympic cycle”.
Anderson last played Davis Cup for South Africa in 2011.
“I’m not sure what the exact requirements are – I know there’s a Davis Cup rule in place, where you have to have competed in some ties,” Anderson – who participated at the 2008 Beijing Olympics – said.
“I’d love to be a part of something like that again. There is that Davis Cup requirement which for me has been a tough battle. In terms of the Olympics, it would be a great honour to play in them.”
TSA said yesterday that Anderson would need only to make himself available for the Davis Cups – even if he is not selected – to make himself eligible for Olympic selection.
“Anderson has made himself available subject to his expenses being covered,” the statement read.
But the International Tennis Federation (ITF) told Times Media yesterday that the Olympic eligibility rules required a player to be part of the final nominated Davis Cup team at the time of the draw.
South Africa take on Ireland at Irene Country Club next month.
While TSA indicated Anderson would be available if his financial demands were met, the player said his tight schedule could also be a factor.
“I had a chat with [TSA president and acting chief executive] Gavin [Crookes] a while back, and that was what I decided on a couple of months ago,” Anderson said about initially making himself unavailable for team South Africa.
“I had made myself unavailable, but I’ve been in talks [with TSA] in the last day or so, I don’t know all the full details yet. So it will be about assessing my schedule, not just about the financial decision.
“I must say, they have been very understanding of my schedule.
“It’s been really good working with them. We are definitely trying to find something that works.”
For now, Anderson is focused on a good showing at Wimbledon from next week.
After a good run at the Aegon Championship, where he also defeated French Open champ Stanislas Wawrinka in the second round, the 29-year-old is feeling confident.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the tournament starting. I feel . . . I’ve been working hard over a number of years of constantly trying to improve my game.
“With time you get experience as well, and I think making the fourth round in quite a few slams is definitely something I can take with me into this Wimbledon,” he said.