© Reuters
Unfortunately for Kevin Anderson, he has had to forge a career during the most competitive era of men's tennis yet, one dominated by three all-time greats. Roger Federer, Rafa Nada and Novak Djokovic have won the lion's share of Grand Slams since 2005 and the rest have had to fight fiercely for any scraps that were dropped from the top table in tennis.
Since 2005, only on nine occasions did either Federer, Nadal or Djokovic not win one of the Grand Slams on offer. To say it has been one-sided would be a gross understatement, but that doesn't mean it has been boring viewing by any means. Far from it: this has undoubtedly been the most riveting time to follow the sport, as the three titans fight out the greatest rivalry tennis has ever seen. It would be only fitting if all round nice guy and honest competitor, Kevin Anderson, was able to get his hands on one of the Grand Slams, but that would mean beating one of the big three - and that is proving somewhat problematic.
The giant South African has made it to two Grand Slam finals but lost both. The latest final defeat came after Djokovic swept aside Anderson in straight sets at Wimbledon 2018 and before that, in 2017 it was another procession as Nadal romped to victory at the US Open final.
It must be said in Anderson's defence that he had probably given all he had after outlasting John Isner during their almost seven-hour Wimbledon semi-final where the fifth set alone lasted close to three hours. By the time he arrived at the final less than 48 hours after his duel with Isner, the 2.3m frame of Anderson was physically not up to the task.
Thank you John for being an incredible sportsman and friend. It's an honour to share this piece of history with you. #wimbledon pic.twitter.com/ptdLEAUp78
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) July 13, 2018
Historically Anderson has struggled against the top three and of the 18 matches he has played against them, he has only won two of the encounters. Anderson has only ever beaten Djokovic and Federer once and is yet to win a single match against Nadal on the ATP Tour. There is a definite gulf in class and maybe even a physiological barrier that needs to be smashed after all the scar tissue that has built up over the years.
The battle is a very real on for Anderson and at 50/1 in Australian Open 2019 odds, it doesn't look like it will get any easier for the South African in his pursuit of a Grand Slam in January. Right now the number eight in the world is in danger of being considered a "nearly" man after failing when coming so close previously.
Sport, though, as we all know, every now and then does let a fairytale play out as the odds are overcome in the face of adversity.
Preseason has begun 😌 pic.twitter.com/HHlRe93S7m
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) December 6, 2018
In another era, the South African may well have racked up a few Grand Slams by now, but life and sport don't always give stars like Anderson the glory they deserve. It is not in the South African's DNA to complain or make excuses, but - at 32-years-old - the time is now for him to break free of the shackles and win his first and, in all likelihood, only Grand Slam.
