Quick Facts
Biography
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 by defeating Jonathan Canter, Johan Kriek, Brad Pearce and Derrick Rostagno 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 at the age of 16. He was hit by a car and his heart stopped twice in five days (once for one minute and once for 45 seconds). In addition to puncturing a lung which had to bme removed, he also had a broken arm, leg and ribs, however he recovered fully from the accident.
He lives on Mercer Island with his wife and two sons.
Prior to turning professional, Evernden played tennis for the University of Arkansas (where he studied business management and psychology) and was an All-American in 1984.
Evernden is a quarter Ngāti Porou Māori, and his Māori name "Te Rangai" means "Young Warrior". His Irish name, Kelly, means "War".
Career finals
Singles (3 titles – 4 runners-up)
| Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runner-up | 1. | 9 December 1985 | Brisbane, Australia | Carpet |  Paul Annacone | 3–6, 3–6 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 7 October 1985 | Sydney Outdoor, Australia | Grass |  Henri Leconte | 7–6(8–6), 2–6, 3–6 |
| Winner | 1. | 15 June 1987 | Bristol, Great Britain | Grass | Tim Wilkison | 6–4, 7–6 |
| Winner | 2. | 5 October 1987 | Brisbane, Australia | Hard (i) |  Eric Jelen | 3–6, 6–1, 6–1 |
| Winner | 3. | 2 January 1989 | Wellington, New Zealand | Hard |  Shuzo Matsuoka | 7–5, 6–1, 6–4 |
| Runner-up | 3. | 16 October 1989 | Vienna, Austria | Carpet | Paul Annacone | 7–6(7–5), 4–6, 1–6, 6–2, 3–6 |
| Runner-up | 4. | 20 August 1990 | Schenectady, USA | Hard |  Ramesh Krishnan | 1–6, 1–6 |
Doubles (5 titles – 3 runners-up)
| Outcome | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 6 April 1986 | Cologne | Hard (i) | Chip Hooper |  Jan Gunnarsson Peter Lundgren | 6–4, 6–7, 6–3 |
| Winner | 2. | 11 October 1987 | Brisbane | Hard (i) | Matt Anger |  Broderick Dyke Wally Masur | 7–6, 6–2 |
| Winner | 3. | 28 February 1988 | Philadelphia | Carpet (i) |  Johan Kriek | Kevin Curren Danie Visser | 7–6, 6–3 |
| Runner-up | 1. | 13 August 1989 | Livingston | Hard | Sammy Giammalva Jr. | Tim Pawsat Tim Wilkison | 5–7, 3–6 |
| Winner | 4. | 20 August 1989 | Montreal | Hard | Todd Witsken | Charles Beckman Shelby Cannon | 6–3, 6–3 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 22 October 1989 | Vienna | Carpet (i) | Paul Annacone | Jan Gunnarsson Anders Järryd | 2–6, 3–6 |
| Winner | 5. | 7 January 1990 | Wellington | Hard |  Nicolás Pereira |  Sergio Casal Emilio Sánchez Vicario | 6–4, 7–6 |
| Runner-up | 3. | 26 April 1992 | Seoul | Hard | Brad Pearce | Kevin Curren Gary Muller | 6–7, 4–6 |