SA tennis could get giant boost
Kevin Anderson will represent South Africa at the crucial Davis Cup tie against Ireland in Pretoria next month - if Tennis SA can stump up the cash he wants and if his busy schedule allows it. The US-based ace, who reached a career-high 14 on the ATP rankings this week, after finishing runner-up at the Aegon Championship at Queen's Club in London at the weekend, is negotiating with Tennis SA, but the federation yesterday appealed for a sponsor to come to the rescue.Anderson himself was yesterday noncommittal about representing South Africa at the Davis Cup and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.Speaking from the UK, ahead of the Wimbledon tournament starting Monday, the 2m-tall Johannesburg-born player said: "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."There is doubt about his eligibility because of a criterion that requires players to be part of the final nominated Davis-Fed Cup team "at the time of the draw, and is present at the tie, on a minimum of three occasions in the four-year Olympic cycle".Anderson, who participated at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, last played in the Davis Cup for South Africa in 2011."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," he said."In terms of the Olympics itself, it would be a great honour to play in them."Tennis SA said yesterday that Anderson would need only to make himself available for the Davis Cup - even if he is not selected - in order to make himself eligible for Olympic selection."Anderson has made himself available subject to his expenses being covered," it said.But the International Tennis Federation told Times Media yesterday that "the Olympic eligibility rules do require a player to be part of the final nominated [Davis Cup] team at the time of the draw".Anderson is feeling confident ahead of Wimbledon."I think making the fourth round in quite a few slams is definitely something I can take with me into this Wimbledon," he said...
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