Kelly Evernden

Kelly Graeme Evernden (born 21 September 1962, 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.

Contents

Titles (8)

Singles titles (3)

No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score
1. 15 June 1987 Bristol, Great Britain Grass Tim Wilkison 6–4, 7–6
2. 5 October 1987 Brisbane, Australia Hard (I) Eric Jelen 3–6, 6–1, 6–1
3. 2 January 1989 Wellington, New Zealand Hard Shuzo Matsuoka 7–5, 6–1, 6–4

Singles runner-ups (4)

No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score
1. 9 December 1985 Brisbane, Australia Carpet Paul Annacone 6–3, 6–3
2. 7 October 1985 Sydney Outdoor, Australia Grass Henri Leconte 6–7(6), 6–2, 6–3
3. 16 October 1989 Vienna, Austria Carpet Paul Annacone 6–7(5), 6–4, 6–1, 2–6, 6–3
4. 20 August 1990 Schenectady, U.S. Hard Ramesh Krishnan 6–1, 6–1

Doubles titles (5)

External links