South African tennis professional Kevin Anderson reached his highest ever ATP Ranking this week following a positive run at the US Open in New York, reaching 12th position on the world rankings.

The serve-master did so by progressing to his first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final at Flushing Meadows, defeating third seed Andy Murray in the fourth round to reach the last eight stage.

He was defeated in the quarters by Stan Wawrinka, but his run in the competition was enough to earn him his highest ever placing on the rankings, and the 29-year-old hopes that his efforts inspire South African children to realise that they can reach the same tennis heights as he has.

“I’ve always tried my best. I remember growing up watching Wayne Ferreira do amazingly well on the (ATP) tour. It was a great source of inspiration. I really hope up-coming players and the young generation can look at me and see that I was in the exact same position 15 to 20 years ago,” Anderson told IOL.

“It’s definitely possible, but sometimes very difficult coming from South Africa. In my first round at the US Open there were some kids from SA schools, probably about 20 kids, all supporting and it was great to have them shouting for me. Little things like that mean a lot to me,” he confessed.

He went on to mention that he has appreciated the increasing support from South Africans in recent times at tournaments all over the world.

“The last couple of tournaments the support has been really fantastic for me. There have been lots of South African flags and I feel it’s an absolute honour to be the only South African there. I see a lot of South Africans in the stands and living abroad. It’s a small community, but it’s a strong one.”