Career
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.
Evernden"s career-high rankings were World Number.
31 in singles and World Number. 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.
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".
Singles (3 titles – 4 runners-up)
Doubles (5 titles – 3 runners-up).