For the first time in nearly a year and a half, Kevin Anderson came back to campus.

The former Illini and world’s No. 33-ranked men’s tennis player visited Champaign-Urbana over the weekend and saw the current team defeat Minnesota 4-2 at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex.

“It just brings back so many memories,” Anderson said. “Those were definitely some of the best years of my life. It just meant so much being here, the time I spent.”

Now playing professionally on the ATP World Tour, the South African is in the middle of a short break from tennis after an eventful few months.

In November, Anderson married his girlfriend Kelsey O’Neal, who played for the Illini on the women’s golf team.

“We had a lot of Illinois guys there, so it was great to see everybody again,” Anderson said. “It was a very special day for both of us.”

By mid-January, it was already time for the Australian Open. He won his first two matches and advanced to the Round of 32, where he fell to No. 7 Tomas Berdych 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1), 6-1.

After two more tournaments in Memphis, Tenn., and San Jose, Calif., Anderson competed in Delray Beach, Fla., where he won his second career World Tour title.

In the Round of 32, Anderson dominated Austin Krajicek in straight sets before topping Xavier Malisse to advance to the quarterfinals.

American Andy Roddick, who at the time was ranked No. 30 in the world, awaited him there, but Anderson prevailed in three sets, winning 2-6, 7-6 (9), 6-4.

Next up was a familiar face in former Georgia Bulldog and the No. 11-ranked player in the world John Isner, but Anderson won 7-5, 7-6 (4). The difference came down to second service opportunities, as Anderson won 16-of-24 while Isner was just 9-for-21.

“We always have close matches and we do have that little bit of rivalry just in college and stuff,” Anderson said. “Hopefully I’m able to get up my ranking a little bit so I can nudge in front of him.”

In the finals, Anderson faced challenger Marinko Matosevic and won 6-4, 7-6 (2) to become ranked No. 30, tied for the highest mark of his career at the time.

“I felt I played some good matches, beating Roddick and Isner on the way,” Anderson said. “It was a very fun week winning my second title and especially winning in the States.”

Anderson then played two more tournaments at Indian Wells, Calif., and Miami, Fla., performing well enough to be ranked No. 28 in the world, but he has his sights set on improving his career-best ranking even further.

“I’d like to finish this year top-15; that’s my year-end goal,” Anderson said. “I feel if I get some solid results, that will put me into a pretty good standing going into the summer series.”

Up next is the clay court season beginning April 9 with the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston.

“I’m looking forward to the clay court season,” Anderson said. “I have to play tennis where I’m not running as much, but I’ve always enjoyed playing in it, and I think I move pretty well in it.”