Home » TIMag.com news » Players » Octagon Signs Top South African Tennis Player Kevin Anderson

Octagon Signs Top South African Tennis Player Kevin Anderson

McLean, VA (April 28, 2008) -– Octagon today announced the signing of top-ranked South African tennis player Kevin Anderson to a full service representation agreement.

A 21-year-old native of Johannesburg, Anderson played three seasons of collegiate tennis at the University of Illinois where he was a three-time singles All-American and two-time doubles All-American. After capturing the NCAA men’s doubles title in 2006 and leading the Illini to the NCAA team finals in 2007, Anderson turned professional.

Since his transition to the pro ranks, Anderson has steadily climbed the ATP rankings from outside the Top 500 to being on the verge of breaking into the ATP Top 100 today with a current ranking of 101. During his rapid climb, Anderson also won his first pro event at the ATP Challenger in New Orleans.

This season, Anderson qualified and earned his first ATP Tour final at the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas where he defeated Michael Llodra, John Isner, Evgeny Korolev and Robby Ginepri before losing to Sam Querrey. He also qualified and reached the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after defeating Agustin Calleri and #3 ranked Novak Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open Champion.

Anderson made his Davis Cup debut earlier this month where he defeated # 26 ranked Jarkko Nieminen of Finland to clinch the tie for South Africa.

“We are delighted that Kevin has selected Octagon as his worldwide management firm,” said Thomas P. Ross, Senior Vice President of Octagon’s tennis division. “His tremendous work ethic is exemplified by his smooth transition to the pro tour and rapid rise thus far this season. We are looking forward to helping Kevin reach his unlimited potential, including developing opportunities for him in his native South Africa.”

Octagon’s tennis division manages the careers of leading tennis professionals including Elena Dementieva, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Robby Ginepri, Daniela Hantuchova, Gustavo Kuerten, Sebastien Grosjean, Jelena Jankovic, Amelie Mauresmo, Alicia Molik, Nadia Petrova, Tommy Robredo, Agnes Szavay and Donald Young among others. In addition, Octagon owns and manages more professional tennis events than any other agency with WTA and ATP events including the Kremlin Cup, Zurich Open, Bausch & Lomb Championships, Brasil Open, Orange Prokom Open and the Movistar Open.

Octagon has offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa and handles sports marketing consulting in the region for several corporations including Coca-Cola, Sony and Standard Bank.

Octagon is the world’s largest sports and entertainment representation and marketing agency with global expertise in consulting, athletes & personalities, event management, property representation, marketing solutions, licensing and merchandising and talent procurement. As part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world’s leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services, Octagon employs more than 1,000 people in 60 offices around the world. For further information please visit: www.octagon.com.

Posted on April 28, 2008
Permalink