Anderson Explains Why He Skipped Davis Cup Tie

Written by: Staff on 17th September 2012

Anderson Explains Why He Skipped Davis Cup Tie |

South Africa was surely regretting the absence of Kevin Anderson at the weekend Davis Cup tie in Montreal as the financially strapped nation of world tennis continues its slide down the prestige scale.

The one-time power is now just a minnow in the grand scheme, with the national federation so short of funds that it could not afford to host a home tie as had originally been scheduled against Canada. That meant that the tie with the winner returning to the World Group in 2013 had to be held in Canada, which is undergoing a tennis boomlet with Milos Raonic charging up the ATP rankings and Philip Peliwo dominating in junior play at the Grand Slams.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s top player, US-based No. 37 Kevin Anderson, has explained in detail his reasons for refusing to play Davis Cup for his country. It’s all about the money – or lack of it – according to Ando.

The player said that it costs him a minimum of $250,000 to support himself along with a coach and physio on the ATP annually. And while he is not opposed to playing Davis Cup, he won’t do it for free.

“For this tie against Canada, (the national federation) was not able to provide the support that justified me sacrificing my schedule and increasing my risk of injury,” he wrote in a blog posting.

“If I am injured during Davis Cup play, which happened last year, I receive no support, assistance or insurance from anybody. I am on my own.”

Anderson said he made his conditions known during Wimbledon but never heard back from South African tennis bosses.

“I have funded my entire career on my own. I find myself in a tricky position in attracting sponsors when I am a South African living mainly in the United States, so I have to rely heavily on prize money, which is never guaranteed.”