Tennis star Kevin Anderson awaits a rematch with AB de Villiers
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South African tennis star Kevin Anderson has revealed that he is still waiting for a tennis rematch against AB de Villiers who had defeated him in his childhood. The 31-year old advanced to the round of 16 in Wimbledon after defeating Belgium's Ruben Bemelmans 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).
AB de Villiers was an all-around sports prodigy in his youth and played many sports including hockey, rugby, football, athletics, and badminton. And now, South African tennis star Kevin Anderson revealed he was defeated by the talented cricketer in tennis which is not surprising as de Villiers was a part of South Africa's junior Davis Cup team as well.
"I played AB at tennis a long time ago. He was 12 and I was 10. He was a good tennis player and he beat me," Anderson told AFP.
"We keep in touch but I am still waiting for a rematch," he added.
Anderson, himself is a sports fanatic, expressed his disappointment in not being able to visit Lords on Saturday where the Proteas are currently taking on England in the first Test of the 4-match Test series and de Villiers' absence from the team.
"I know that Saturday at Lord's is always a special day but I will have to watch it on TV," he said. "I have to keep my priorities and that will be my recovery for the second week."
The 31-year old has been troubled with injuries lately as his 2016 season was reduced to half owing to a shoulder injury and ankle surgery. The injury problems continued in 2017 as well as he had to withdraw from the Australian Open after suffering a hip injury that resulted in the former top 10 man slipping to the 80th position in world rankings and halting his run of 28 consecutive Grand Slam appearances.
A thigh injury further forced him to quit his fourth round clash against Marin Cilic at the French Open. However, he managed to rise to 42 in the world ranking and will next take on America's Sam Querrey in the round of 16 at Wimbledon.
"I feel like I am playing really good tennis lately. I feel healthy and what happened at the French Open was just a hiccup. I am really pleased with how the three matches here have gone. I have worked hard on my grass court game and I think it's a surface which suits first strike tennis," he said after becoming the seventh South African man to win 50 Grand Slam matches.
