By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday May 3, 2022
South Africa's Kevin Anderson, a longtime force on the ATP Tour, announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Two-time Grand Slam finalist and former World No.5 Kevin Anderson has called it a career.
A seven-time ATP title winner and owner of 354 victories on tour, Anderson is a few weeks shy of his 36th birthday and has battled injuries over the last several years.
He earned 19 Top-10 victories, including a memorable one over Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2018. The South African edged Federer 13-11 in the fifth set of their quarterfinal duel, then went on to defeat John Isner 26-24 in the fifth set of a Wimbledon marathon that lasted six hours and 36 minutes.
He lost the final to Novak Djokovic that year, and fell in the final of the US Open to Rafael Nadal in 2017.
Despite those tough losses Anderson, a former NCAA player at the University of Illinois, had a brilliant career and was known for his sportsmanship and easy going, humble nature.
“Today I finally arrived at the difficult decision to retire from professional tennis,” Anderson wrote on social media. “There are so many people who helped me along the way, and believed that a kid from South Africa could achieve his dreams. Thank you Mum and Dad - I am eternally grateful for the countless hours you spent coaching me, the sacrifices you made, but most importantly the belief in me the whole way. I wouldn’t be here today without either of you. My brother, Greg, you have been there by my side every step of the way. My whole family in SA and beyond, there was never a moment I didn’t feel your love and support.
“To my amazing wife, Kelsey, I couldn’t have found somebody more supportive than you. You are there for me through everything, I can’t wait to take on the next chapter with you as we raise our beautiful daughter together.”
Anderson finishes his career as the top African in ATP World Tour history. "I gave it my best," he concluded.