Anderson Set for Induction into ITA Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame

TEMPE, Ariz. – Former Fighting Illini males’s tennis star Kevin Anderson is ready to be inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men’s Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2026, the ITA introduced on Monday. 

Anderson is one in all 5 members of the Class of 2026 and is the second Illini to earn that prestigious distinction, becoming a member of coach Craig Tiley, who was inducted in 2010.

A local of South Africa, Anderson competed at Illinois from 2004-07, profitable the 2006 NCAA doubles title (with Ryan Rowe) and incomes All-America honors in every of his three seasons at Illinois. In addition to profitable a nationwide doubles title, Anderson reached the NCAA singles semi-finals and doubles closing in 2007, whereas main the Illini crew to a nationwide runner-up end.

Anderson was a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten choice and the 2007 Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Year. He was named the Fighting Illini Dike Eddleman Male Athlete of the Year in 2007. 

Turning professional following his junior season, Anderson climbed as excessive as No. 5 on this planet in singles and No. 58 in doubles. He grew to become the primary Fighting Illini alum to advance to the singles closing at a Grand Slam, which he earned on the U.S. Open in 2017.

Across his 16-year skilled profession, he gained seven singles titles and one doubles title, whereas he reached the finals at two Grand Slams: the 2017 U.S. Open and 2018 Wimbledon.

Anderson is joined within the Class of 2026 by former gamers John Isner and Steve Johnson, coach Manny Diaz, and contributor John Frierson. The Class of 2026 Hall of Fame induction will happen previous to the NCAA Division I Team Championships on the University of Georgia in May 2026.

The ITA Men’s Hall of Fame inducted its first-class in 1983 and has since inducted greater than 270 gamers, coaches, and contributors. Players are eligible for election to the Hall of Fame 10 years after the conclusion of their participation on a crew and as soon as they’re now not taking part in on the professional tour. Coaches are eligible instantly following retirement. The major standards for election consists of school accomplishments and honors earned after school.