‘My passion wasn’t quite there’ – Kevin Anderson reflects on retirement
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson has opened up about his retirement from the sport saying his “sheer passion and determination weren’t maybe quite there as they had been before”.
Last week, the South African announced he had decided to retire and call time on a career spanning 15 years on the professional circuit.
The former world number five had recorded 354 wins from 607 tour level matches over his career, winning a total of seven tour titles. more than 14-year pro career.
He was only denied a Major title by two Grand Slam legends, being Rafael Nadal at the 2017 US Open and Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2018 as he lost to both players in the respective finals.
The 35-year-old’s final ATP tour match came at the the Miami Masters last month, losing to Argentinian youngster Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round 6-7 (7-9), 6-3, 3-6.
Reflecting on his decision, Kevin Anderson admitted that he’d contemplated the decision for a number of months, with the Miami Open being the cataylst for him to hang up his racket.
Speaking in a recent interview, the big-serving South African told reporters, “For many months I was continuing to play even though I felt my sheer passion and determination weren’t maybe quite there as they had been before.
“After Miami I realised it had been slow progression over the last few months. It’s been a tough couple years for me. I’ve had multiple knee surgeries, but not just physically – mentally and emotionally, it’s been challenging.”
Anderson continued, admitting he did toy with the idea of making one last Grand Slam appearance.
“It crossed my mind to play one more big tournament but my whole career has been focused on training professionally, being prepared for tournaments and wanting to do well.
“I knew it was time to step away. For me not to be fully vested in the competition and prepared and just to go and play at, say Wimbledon, for the sake of doing it one more time would not be who I am as a tennis player and I’m okay with that.”
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