Two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson announced his retirement from professional tennis on Tuesday at age 35.
The 6-foot-8 (South African was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the US Open in 2017 — No. 32 at the time, Anderson was the lowest-ranked finalist in tournament history — and to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2018.
Anderson won seven ATP Tour singles titles, most recently at the Hall of Fame Tennis Champi-onships in Newport, Rhode Island, last July. All of his trophies came on the speedier surfaces of grass or hard courts, which helped add oomph to his booming serves.
“Tennis carried me far beyond my roots in Jo-hannesburg, South Africa, and truly gave me the world,” Anderson wrote on Twitter in posts about what he called a “difficult decision to retire.” “I’ve experienced so many different challenges and emotions; this sport can be exhilarating and at the same time lonely,” he said.
Anderson played college tennis at Illinois, where he won the 2006 NCAA men’s doubles championship and was an All-American for three seasons.—AP
