Keith Richardson (tennis)

Keith Richardson (born 1953) is a former professional tennis player from the United States. He is a member of both the North Carolina and South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame.

Keith Richardson
Full nameKeith Richardson
Country (sports) United States
Born1953
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Turned pro1976
Retired1979
PlaysRight-handed
Singles
Career record18–43
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 74 (December 31, 1977)
Grand Slam Singles results
US Open3R (1979)
Doubles
Career record19–44
Career titles0
Grand Slam Doubles results
US Open1R (1979)

Biography

Richardson grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina and attended Rock Hill High School, where he was the state's 4A High School Tennis Champion in 1971.[1] He got an athletic scholarship to North Carolina's Appalachian State University where he played varsity tennis from 1971 to 1975, while he studied for a BSBA degree. During this time he was a three time Southern Conference Singles Champion (1973, 1974, 1975) and two time Doubles Champion (1974, 1975).[2]

In 1976, Richardson turned professional and began touring internationally.[3] By the end of the 1977 he had reached his highest ranking of 74 in the world. He twice featured in the US Open, in 1977 and 1979. In his first appearance in 1977 he lost in the opening round to Phil Dent, but in 1979 he was able to make the third round.[4][5] He began the 1979 US Open with a five-set win over Dave Siegler, then defeated a young Kevin Curren in straight sets, before exiting in the third round with a loss to Dick Stockton. In 1979 he also played in the first round of the men's doubles, with John Yuill.[6] On the Grand Prix circuit his best performance came in 1979, a doubles final in Sarasota, which he and John James lost to Steve Krulevitz and Ilie Năstase.[7] He also made his only singles quarter-final that year, at Madrid.[8]

Richardson retired from the tour at the end of the 1979 season and then spent three years as the Head Tennis Professional at Benvenue Country Club.[9]

Since 1983 he has worked in the insurance industry and is currently at Peoples First Insurance in Rock Hill, South Carolina.[9] He is married with two children.[9][10]

Grand Prix career finals

Doubles: 1 (0–1)
Outcome No. Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Runner-up 1. 1979 Sarasota, U. S. Carpet John James Steve Krulevitz
Ilie Năstase		 6–7, 3–6

Challenger titles

Doubles: (2)
No. Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
1. 1978 Tinton Falls, U. S. Hard John Sadri Scott Carnahan
Charles Strode		 6–7, 6–3, 6–4
2. 1978 Lincoln, U. S. Hard John Sadri Rick Meyer
Horace Reid		 4–6, 6–3, 7–5
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References
  1. Hembree, Mike (June 1, 1975). "Richardson Faces 3 Junctures". Herald-Journal. p. C1. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  2. "Keith Richardson". USTA South Carolina. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  3. Cooper, Ray (April 23, 1978). "Appalachian State graduates struggling with success on tour". Star-News. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  4. Mead, Doug (June 1, 1979). "Keith Richardson: Looking Ahead To Wimbledon, U.S. Open..." Herald-Journal. p. D1. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  5. "U.S. Open Tennis Championships". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 31, 1979. p. 14. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  6. "ITF Tennis - Pro Circuit - U.S. Open - 28 August - 09 September 1979". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  7. Ellison, Jack (February 19, 1979). "Kriek masters Meyer". St. Petersburg Times. p. 5C. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  8. "ITF Tennis - Pro Circuit - Madrid - 24 September - 30 September 1979". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  9. "Keith Richardson - Bio". ATP World Tour. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  10. Smith, Eileen (May 31, 1978). "Life Of Tennis Wife Not All Glamor". Herald-Journal. p. B2. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
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