Photo: Harris posing with his winner’s trophy, by Matt Goins Photography Source: TeamSA

Home » Anderson Congratulates Rising SA Tennis Star Lloyd Harris – Into US Open

Anderson Congratulates Rising SA Tennis Star Lloyd Harris – Into US Open

South African expat and super tennis player Kevin Anderson – who made it to the Wimbledon Finals this year – has congratulated South Africa’s rising tennis star – Lloyd Harris – for qualifying for the US Open this year. Anderson tweeted: “Well done @lloydharris63 on qualifying for the #usopen and a first Grand Slam main […]

By SAPeople
25-08-18 13:30
in Fab South African Stuff
Photo: Harris posing with his winner’s trophy, by Matt Goins Photography Source: TeamSA

South African expat and super tennis player Kevin Anderson – who made it to the Wimbledon Finals this year – has congratulated South Africa’s rising tennis star – Lloyd Harris – for qualifying for the US Open this year.

Photo: Harris posing with his winner’s trophy, by Matt Goins Photography Source: TeamSA

Anderson tweeted: “Well done @lloydharris63 on qualifying for the #usopen and a first Grand Slam main draw. Great job and keep it going! ???”

Anderson himself was also praised in the past 24 hours – by none other than the world’s number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal.

At a media gathering for the US Open, Nadal said Anderson is one of the best players in the world, and one of the hardest working!

Humble Anderson tweeted back: “Huge compliment coming from him. Gracias @RafaelNadal ?”

Anderson has long supported his fellow South African, Harris. Last year in October he tweeted: “Shoutout to fellow Saffa @lloydharris63 who cracked the @ATPWorldTour top 200! It’s a huge achievement, congrats bud ?Big things to come! ??”

Earlier this month one of those ‘big things’ came when Harris won his biggest title to date – winning the $75,000 ATP Challenger Kentucky Bank Tennis Championships in Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

According to TeamSA, 21-year-old Harris – who was a Youth Olympian four years ago – became the first South Africa to win the Kentucky title since Rik de Voest in 2013 and the youngest from SA since Kevin Anderson in 2007.

The victory took Harris 47 spots up the ATP world rankings to a career-high No161. Harris remains the second – highest ranked South African behind Anderson.

Harris has also praised Anderson, telling TeamSA: ‘What Kevin has done is remarkable, getting to No5 in the world and reaching two Grand Slam finals. It’s really special.

‘Our country needs even more players coming up. We don’t have tennis as a priority sport in our country and South Africa doesn’t have multiple guys doing well on the tour to help boost the game back home.

‘So I think it’s great for South Africa to have another player like myself coming through the ranks and I hope that my success will motivate others to do better as well.’