On Tuesday May 3, two-time major finalist and former world number 5 Kevin Anderson announced his retirement from tennis at the age of 35. The South African born player, Anderson won a national championship in college and won 7 ATP singles titles in his career. He also represented South Africa in the Davis Cup and the Hopman Cup. His career spanned 15 years.
Kevin Anderson was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He attended college in America at the University of Illinois. In his sophomore year, he won the doubles national championship. In his junior year, he helped the fighting Illini to an appearance in the national championship match in 2007, but they lost to Georgia. Anderson also attempted to repeat as national doubles champion with his partner Ryan Bowe, but they lost to the duo of Marco Born and Andreas Siljestrom of Middle Tennessee State in the championship match. Anderson was a three-time All-American in singles and a two-time All-American in doubles in his college career.
Kevin Anderson made his professional debut in 2007. He won his first ATP singles title at the South Africa Open in 2011, where he defeated Indian tennis player Somdev Devvarman in the final. This pushed Anderson into the top 40 for the first time in his career. He won his second title in 2012 at Delray Beach defeating Marinko Matosevic. He won his third title at the 2015 Winston-Salem Open. Anderson went through a three-year title doubt, but returned to form in 2018 when he picked up two more singles titles. He defeated Sam Querrey at the New York Open, and Kei Nishikori in Vienna. He won his sixth title in 2019 at the Maharashtra Open. Anderson’s 7th and final title came at the 2021 Hall of Fame Tennis Championships defeating American Jenson Brooksby. He won 354 matches in his career. His highest ranking was world number 5, which he achieved in 2018.
Kevin Anderson advanced to the 4th round or better at all four major tournaments. He was a finalist at the 2017 U.S. Open. he picked up wins in the quarterfinals against Sam Querrey and Pablo Carreno Busta in the semifinals enroute to the final. He lost to Rafa Nadal. He also made it to the final of the 2018 Wimbledon. He defeated Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, and John Isner in the semifinals enroute to the final. He lost to Novak Djokovic.
Kevin Anderson played for South Africa at the 2011 Davis Cup. He played for South Africa at the 2013 Hopman Cup.
Kevin Anderson’s career started in 2007, and now it comes to a conclusion after 15 years on the ATP Tour.
Kevin Anderson is married to his college girlfriend Kelsey O’Neal, and they live in Delray Beach Florida. They have a two year-old daughter named Keira.
