Wimbledon, SA expat magnet, briefly becomes more famous for tennis

by Alec Hogg

Like many others in South Africa, work was secondary yesterday afternoon while the tennis star most never knew we had, Kevin Anderson (29), unleashed supersonic serves at reigning Wimbledon Champion Novak Djokovic (28). At one point the Johannesburg-born giant looked like he would shock the tennis world. But even though he didn't have quite enough this time, his courage and fight made his countrymen proud.

It reminded me of another tennis player with the same first name, now 57 year old Durban-born Kevin Curran. In 1985, the big-serving Curran brought his homeland to a standstill as he stepped out onto centre court for the Wimbledon Final. En route, Curran was the first player to ever beat the Big Two of that era, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, in a single tournament. The nation expected him to swiftly dispatch his 17 year old German opponent Boris Becker. Again, it was not to be.

But there's one thing Anderson did do for his homeland yesterday. For a while, Wimbledon itself was again a place in London where they play tennis. Instead of its better known description nowadays as the mini-South Africa in the middle of the UK's capital city – so popular has it become as a new roosting place for expats.

From Biznews community member Darryl Bennett

I am a proud South African and always pull for SA sportsman. However Kevin Anderson refuses to play Davis Cup tennis for SA, so this was an exception where I was grateful that Novak won.

Yesterday's top stories: