Chambana Sun

Former University of Illinois tennis player Kevin Anderson will be inducted into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Men's Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, according to an announcement from the ITA.

Anderson is one of five individuals selected for induction in 2026. He becomes the second Illinois representative to receive this honor, following coach Craig Tiley, who was inducted in 2010.

Originally from South Africa, Anderson played for Illinois between 2004 and 2007. During his time with the team, he won the NCAA doubles title in 2006 alongside Ryan Rowe and was named an All-American each season he competed. In 2007, Anderson reached both the NCAA singles semi-finals and doubles final while helping lead Illinois to a national runner-up finish.

He earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors three times and was recognized as the Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Year in 2007. That same year, he received the Fighting Illini Dike Eddleman Male Athlete of the Year award.

After turning professional following his junior year, Anderson achieved a career-high ranking of No. 5 in singles and No. 58 in doubles on the ATP Tour. He became the first Illinois alumnus to reach a Grand Slam singles final at the U.S. Open in 2017. Over his professional career spanning sixteen years, Anderson secured seven singles titles and one doubles title, reaching finals at both the U.S. Open in 2017 and Wimbledon in 2018.

The other members joining Anderson in the Class of 2026 are former players John Isner and Steve Johnson, coach Manny Diaz, and contributor John Frierson. The induction ceremony is scheduled before the NCAA Division I Team Championships at the University of Georgia in May 2026.

Since its establishment in 1983, more than 270 players, coaches, and contributors have been inducted into the ITA Men's Hall of Fame. Players become eligible for election ten years after their college careers end and once they are no longer active on tour; coaches are eligible upon retirement. Selection criteria include achievements during college as well as post-college honors.