Why Kevin Anderson could outlast opponents in epics: 'It's about one thing my dad taught me'

What is about proverbial beanpoles and their ability to hold out for hours on the tennis court?

That will always be one of the enduring memories of Kevin Anderson's stellar career, which he called time on earlier this week.

The 2.03m giant memorably reached the final of 2018's edition of Wimbledon following an epic last four encounter with American John Isner, a compelling tit-for-tat that lasted 6 hours and 36 minutes before he eventually claimed a 7–6, 6–7, 6–7, 6–4, 26–24 victory.

It was indeed a freakish spectacle, the 2.08m Isner also not giving an inch to ensure he'd have been involved in both of the longest matches in the sport's history.

The 37-year-old won a 11 hour 5 minutes skirmish against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010, a record that is likely to never be broken.

READ | TRIBUTE | Kevin Anderson got the most out of his pro tennis career

"In terms of the endurance, the fact that John was involved in both those games is a testament to his amazing serve and mentality. We gave that record a go in 2018, but I don't think it will be eclipsed any time soon," said Anderson from his home in Miami.

"I think everybody goes about their endurance on the court in a different way. I don't want to say that it was just John and I who were capable of competing in hours-long epics during our careers. There have been a few crazy long matches over the past decade.

"You think here of the Djokovic-Nadal final of the Australian Open where play went on for over five hours. The game has become physical for everyone."

Yet it is a feather in the 35-year-old, 7-title winner's cap that when he wasn't dogged by injury, he was doggedly capable of outlasting opponents.

"What really helped me in the end was this idea that my dad (Mark) instilled in