Famous South African Tennis Players

Kevin Anderson is a retired South African professional tennis player who achieved a career-high ATP ranking of world No. 5 in July 2018. He won his first ATP Tour title at the South African Open in 2011 and reached his first major final at the 2017 US Open. Anderson also reached the final of Wimbledon in 2018 after defeating John Isner in a marathon match. Despite retiring in 2022, he made a comeback announcement in July 2023, showcasing his resilience and passion for the sport.

Lloyd Harris is a highly accomplished South African professional tennis player, known for his impressive rankings in both singles and doubles categories. With a career-high ranking of World No. 31 in singles and World No. 108 in doubles, he has established himself as a top player in the international tennis circuit. Harris has secured numerous titles, including one doubles ATP tournament win, three ATP Challenger singles titles, and two Challenger doubles titles. Additionally, he has triumphed in 13 ITF singles events and 4 ITF doubles competitions, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.

Cliff Drysdale is a former South African tennis player who transitioned into a successful career as a tennis announcer. He achieved high rankings as a professional player during the 1960s and early 1970s before transitioning to broadcasting. Drysdale's expertise and passion for the sport led him to become a well-respected tennis announcer, where he shared his insights and analysis with audiences around the world. His contributions to both playing and broadcasting have solidified his legacy within the tennis community.

Amanda Coetzer is a retired South African professional tennis player known for her impressive career in the WTA rankings. She achieved a world No. 3 ranking and consistently finished in the top 20 for ten consecutive seasons. Coetzer reached three Grand Slam semifinals and one Grand Slam doubles final during her career. She was renowned for defeating higher-ranked opponents and earned the nickname "The Little Assassin" due to her success despite her shorter stature.

Kyle Edmund is a successful British professional tennis player known for his impressive career achievements. He reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 14 and was the top-ranked male British tennis player for a significant period. Notable highlights include being an Australian Open semifinalist, winning his first ATP Tour title in Antwerp, and contributing to Great Britain's Davis Cup victory in 2015. Additionally, he has secured two junior Grand Slam doubles titles and was part of the winning Junior Davis Cup team in 2011.

Ilana Kloss is a former professional tennis player, coach, and administrator. She achieved the World No. 1 ranking in doubles in 1976 and reached World No. 19 in singles in 1979. Kloss won multiple prestigious titles including Wimbledon and US Open juniors singles titles, as well as US Open Doubles and French Open Mixed Doubles titles in 1976. She also excelled at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, winning three gold medals in 1973. Following her playing career, Kloss served as the commissioner of World TeamTennis from 2001 to 2021.

Johan Christiaan Kriek is a former professional tennis player with notable achievements in the sport. He claimed two Australian Open titles and achieved impressive results at other Grand Slam events, including reaching the semifinals at the French Open and US Open, and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Kriek also secured numerous professional singles and doubles titles during his career. His success on the court was reflected in his career-high singles ranking of world No. 7 in September 1984.

Wayne Ferreira is a South African tennis coach and retired professional player known for his powerful serves and consistent groundstrokes. He turned professional in 1989 and enjoyed a successful career, reaching a career-high singles ranking of World No. 6. Ferreira won 15 ATP singles titles and 11 doubles titles during his career. He also represented South Africa in numerous Davis Cup matches. After retiring as a player, Ferreira transitioned into coaching, sharing his expertise and experience with the next generation of tennis players.

Frew McMillan, a former professional tennis player from South Africa, achieved great success in doubles competitions throughout his career. He secured five grand slam doubles titles, notably three Wimbledon victories alongside Bob Hewitt. With a total of 63 doubles titles, he ranks among the top players in this category. McMillan's impressive performance led him to be ranked No.1 in Doubles on the ATP Computer for a considerable period from 1977 to 1979, showcasing his skill and dominance in the sport.

Craig Tiley is a South African tennis executive and retired U.S. college tennis coach. He currently serves as the CEO of Tennis Australia and the Director of the Australian Open. Tiley has a successful coaching background, having led the Illinois Fighting Illini men's tennis team to multiple championships including the NCAA Division I national championship in 2003 and ITA National Team Indoor Championships in 2003 and 2004. His leadership and expertise have contributed significantly to the development and promotion of tennis in Australia and internationally.

Andrew Pattison is a former professional tennis player who represented both Rhodesia and Zimbabwe during his career. He achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 24 in September 1974. Throughout his career, Pattison won four singles tournaments and seven doubles tournaments. Known for his strong performances on the court, he made a significant impact in the tennis world during the 1970s. Pattison's success and skill as a player solidified his reputation as a notable figure in the sport.