Anderson plans comeback

Kevin Anderson has confirmed he is availabile for South Africa’s upcoming trip to Germany in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group play-offs.

Anderson’s last Davis Cup appearance was back in 2008, but he’s looking forward to making a comeback on clay at Stuttgart’s Weissenhof Stadium.

"I needed time to work on my game, but I'm back in the Top 100 now and I've grown a lot as a player over the last two years,” said the big serving South African, who reached a career high world ranking of No. 76 earlier this month.

"I think I've improved a lot on clay, and I'm able to adjust to the different surfaces. I'm glad to be back in the team and I'm looking forward to the tie in Germany."

South Africa is bidding to gain promotion to the World Group for the first time in 12 years, while Germany is attempting to avoid relegation following defeat against France in March.

Germany currently has ten players ranked inside the Top 100 and therefore boasts a deep squad to pick from. Anderson, on the other hand, is South Africa’s only representative inside this benchmark.

The teams won’t be officially announced until 7 September, ten days before the tie gets under way, but it’s expected that South Africa’s side will be selected from Anderson, Wesley Moodie, Izak van der Merwe, Rik de Voest and Jeff Coetzee.

"Germany haven't announced their team yet, but we've got a good group of players and I think we've got a decent chance of gaining promotion,” added the 24 year-old, who is an imposing 6’ 8” tall.

The winner of the play-off tie, which takes place from 17-19 September, earns a spot in next year's World Group first round, while the loser takes its place in Europe/Africa Zone Group I.