Kelly Evernden

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Kelly Evernden bigraphy, stories - New Zealand tennis player

Kelly Evernden : biography

21 September 1962 –

Kelly Graeme Evernden (born 21 September 1961, in Gisborne, New Zealand) is a former professional tennis player from New Zealand.

Evernden turned professional in 1985 and won his first tour doubles title in 1986 at Cologne. His first top-level singles title came in 1987 at Bristol. His best singles performance at a Grand Slam event came at the 1987 Australian Open, where he reached the quarter-finals before being knocked-out by Wally Masur. Evernden represented New Zealand at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.

Over the course of his career, Evernden won three top-level singles titles, the last of which was won in 1989 at Wellington. He also won five tour doubles titles (the most significant of which was the Canadian Open in 1989). Evernden’s career-high rankings were World No. 31 in singles and World No. 19 in doubles. He retired from the professional tour in 1994.

Amazingly, Evernden played pro tennis with only one lung, having had a lung removed as the result of an injury sustained in an accident during his youth.

Evernden is a quarter Ngāti Porou Māori, and his Māori name "Te Rangai" means "Young Warrior". Interestingly his Irish name, Kelly, means "War".

Evernden played collegiate tennis at the University of Arkansas.

Career finals

Singles (3 titles – 4 runner-ups)

Outcome No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Runner-up 1. 9 December 1985 Brisbane, Australia Carpet USA}} Paul Annacone 3–6, 3–6
Runner-up 2. 7 October 1985 Sydney Outdoor, Australia Grass FRA}} Henri Leconte 7–6(8–6), 2–6, 3–6
Winner 1. 15 June 1987 Bristol, Great Britain Grass USA}} Tim Wilkison 6–4, 7–6
Winner 2. 5 October 1987 Brisbane, Australia Hard (i) West Germany}} Eric Jelen 3–6, 6–1, 6–1
Winner 3. 2 January 1989 Wellington, New Zealand Hard Japan}} Shuzo Matsuoka 7–5, 6–1, 6–4
Runner-up 3. 16 October 1989 Vienna, Austria Carpet USA}} Paul Annacone 7–6(7–5), 4–6, 1–6, 6–2, 3–6
Runner-up 4. 20 August 1990 Schenectady, USA Hard IND}} Ramesh Krishnan 1–6, 1–6

Doubles (5 titles – 3 runner-ups)

Outcome No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Winner 1. 6 April 1986 Cologne Hard (i) USA}} Chip Hooper SWE}} Jan Gunnarsson Peter Lundgren 6–4, 6–7, 6–3
Winner 2. 11 October 1987 Brisbane Hard (i) USA}}Matt Anger AUS}} Broderick Dyke Wally Masur 7–6, 6–2
Winner 3. 28 February 1988 Philadelphia Carpet (i) RSA|1928}} Johan Kriek USA}} Kevin Curren Danie Visser 7–6, 6–3
Runner-up 1. 13 August 1989 Livingston Hard USA}} Sammy Giammalva Jr. USA}} Tim Pawsat Tim Wilkison 5–7, 3–6
Winner 4. 20 August 1989 Montreal Hard USA}} Todd Witsken USA}} Charles Beckman Shelby Cannon 6–3, 6–3
Runner-up 2. 22 October 1989 Vienna Carpet (i) USA}} Paul Annacone SWE}} Jan Gunnarsson Anders Järryd 2–6, 3–6
Winner 5. 7 January 1990 Wellington Hard VEN}} Nicolás Pereira ESP}} Sergio Casal Emilio Sánchez Vicario 6–4, 7–6
Runner-up 3. 26 April 1992 Seoul Hard USA}} Brad Pearce USA}} Kevin Curren Gary Muller 6–7, 4–6