Kevin Anderson unwavering belief in himself and his single-mindedness, were just two of the keys to his epic semifinal victory over John Isner in the opening Wimbledon semifinal on Friday night.
In the post-match press conference Anderson was reminded that after his herculean effort to down Roger Federer in an exhausting five-setter just two days earlier, it gave him more belief in himself.
He was asked whether the Federer victory got him through the exhausting match against Isner.
"I don't know what got me through today's match other than just a will to try to succeed, keep pushing myself. It was a war of attrition out there."
"Obviously his serve is arguably one of the best of all time. It's really tough playing him. The match was so even throughout. I obviously felt I had a few chances in the third set serving for it. Even in that breaker, had a set point, hit a double. He played some great points.
"I think one of the reasons for the double was I felt like he was being really aggressive on my serve that forced me to go for a little bit more. Then once you're in the fifth set, in those sort of settings, on the court for over six hours, your body, it's really tough. You just have to try to keep going."
Anderson was asked to explain what went through his head when he fell and managed to pick up his racquet and play a left-handed shot.
"Anderson vs Isner, a Wimbledon classic - you better believe it"
A Centre Court epic ends with @KAndersonATP going through to the #Wimbledon final, beating John Isner 7-6(6), 6-7(5), 6-7(9), 6-4, 26-24 pic.twitter.com/Fv4ww2cEzK
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018
"I had elbow surgery at a pretty young age and actually played four or five months just with my left hand. A lot of guys with two hands can't hit the ball left-handed.
I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down... #Wimbledon @KAndersonATP pic.twitter.com/1cY6i2WoUp
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 13, 2018
"It was interesting because I hit it pretty well. I was reflecting that I wouldn't have thought back then that I was going to use a left-handed shot at the semifinals of Wimbledon. I don't know what the score was when I hit it but it worked," added Anderson.