Former world no. 53 Denis Kudla ended his career at the United Cup. The Kyivnative wrapped up the 2024 season outside the top-250 and decided to end his tennis career after competing professionally for half of his life.
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The American will embrace new challenges at home after becoming a father last July. Also, Denis will stay involved in tennis, joining forces with Reilly Opelka as his new coach. Will Kudla have something to tell his kids about? Certainly!
The American played against the greatest players of his time, battling against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Beating Roger Federer on grass had never been easy, and Denis almost did that in Halle!
Kudla started playing tennis at seven and became one of the best juniors ten years later under Frank Salazar. He claimed his first Futures title in 2010 and reached the Newport quarter-final a year later, showing his skills on grass.
Denis lifted two Challenger trophies in 2012, cracking the top-150 and elevating his game to a higher level. The American reached the Queen's quarter-final in 2013 and qualified for the main draw at Wimbledon, notching his first victory in London.
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Kudla cracked the top-100 but could not stay there in 2014 despite another Challenger title and a win at Wimbledon as a qualifier. Denis shined in 2015, reaching back-to-back Challenger finals on grass before entering the last 16 at Wimbledon!
He backed that result with the semi-final in Atlanta as a qualifier, falling to John Isner in a thrilling enclosure. Kudla scored eight ATP wins in 2016 and achieved his career-best ranking, almost cracking the top-50.
Denis could not find the rhythm in the second part of the year, struggling on his beloved grass and finishing outside the top-100. Kudla did not play well in 2017, returning to Challengers and closing it in the top-200 after one last push in Knoxville.
The American bounced back in 2018, improving his ranking position and challenging Roger Federer in the Halle semi-final. The Swiss prevailed in two tight sets, preventing Denis from reaching theATP final. Denis faced Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2019, falling in straight sets.
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They met again two years later in the third round, with Kudla qualifying for the main draw and defeating two rivals. He challenged Djokovic for two hours and 17 minutes before losing in straight sets after an entertaining battle.
Kudla stayed in the top-100 until March 2023. He left the elite group and never returned, struggling to revive his A-game and deciding to retire at the beginning of 2025 after winning the United Cup with his teammates.
We will miss Denis' flat strokes and backhand down the line, whichdrove his rivals crazy. We wish him all the best in his retirement and upcoming personal and professional challenges.
