Kevin Anderson receives wildcard that confirms shock return

July 9, 2023

Kevin Anderson receives wildcard that confirms shock return

Kevin Anderson has been given a wildcard for the upcoming ATP event in Newport, with the former No.5 returning to the tour following retirement last year.

Anderson last played a professional match at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami in 2022, getting into the draw as a lucky loser before being defeated by Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

He subsequently released a statement on the 3rd May, revealing that he would be making the ‘difficult decision’ to end his 15-year professional career.

However, the 37-year-old appears to have reversed that decision, as he will make his return at the post-Wimbledon grass court tournament that he won back in 2021.

NOT DONE YET ? @KAndersonATP has accepted a wild card for the #InfosysHallofFameOpen and will make his return to the @atptour in Newport!

Welcome back to our 2021 Champion!

➡️ https://t.co/NDQJ4DuhXg pic.twitter.com/H34CZ6bqkF

— International Tennis Hall of Fame (@TennisHalloFame) July 7, 2023

“I’m thrilled to make my return to the Tour in Newport,” said Anderson. “Winning the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in 2021 was a special moment for me. I couldn’t think of a better place to make my comeback, and I’m excited to hit the grass once again.”

During his career the South African had to deal with some difficult injury setbacks, including undergoing right knee surgery in 2020, but revealed that he is starting to feel ‘much better’.

“When I retired, it was tough. I was dealing with a lot of physical pain. Just a lot of parts of the body were really making it difficult to compete the way I wanted to, but also emotionally and mentally it was very challenging and I felt like I needed to stop playing,” explained Anderson.

He continued, “When I retired I didn’t know if I was going to play again or not. Most of last year I wasn’t planning to. But a couple months ago I started hitting again and just really enjoyed being out there.

“My body felt much better and what I was doing with the tennis ball was really exciting to me and made me want to challenge myself again. I didn’t know if I’d have that opportunity but fortunately Newport has given me one, so I wanted to go out there and play again.”

Anderson will be back on the ATP tour in just over a week, with the Hall of Fame Open beginning on the 17th July.

Kevin Anderson Career Achievements

Anderson became only the fifth player to break inside the ATP top 5 for the first time after turning 30 back in 2018, and that is only one of the many things that the 6ft 8 South African achieved in his decorated career.

We, at Tennishead, have looked back at some of his best achievements:

Career-high ranking: No.5

ATP Titles: 7 (Johannesburg 2011, Delray Beach 2012, Winston-Salem 2015, Vienna 2018, New York 2018, Pune 2019 & Newport 2021)

Best Grand Slam Result: Final (US Open 2017 & Wimbledon 2018)

Best ATP Finals Result: Semi-final (2018)

Best Masters 1000 Result: Semi-final (Madrid 2018 & Toronto (2018)