The tennis world is buzzing with the inspiring saga of Evan King, a true testament to relentless belief and an unwavering passion for the game. At 33, after years of grinding and a dramatic return from early retirement, King didn't just break through – he exploded onto the ATP Tour.
Key Points:
- Evan King's journey: From quitting pro tennis in 2014 to a spectacular comeback.
- A profound shift in mindset fueled his return and subsequent success.
- Dominated the Challenger circuit before his age 33 breakout season on the ATP Tour.
- Forged historic partnerships, including a Roland Garros mixed doubles final with Taylor Townsend.
- A powerful advocate for and product of the tight-knit Black tennis community.
From the Brink to the Court: Evan King's Unlikely Return
In 2014, Evan King walked away from professional tennis. Despite a stellar collegiate career at the University of Michigan, where he remains second in all-time singles and combined wins, the brutal reality of constant losses on the pro circuit took its toll. "I just wasn't handling losing every week right," King confessed to TENNIS.com, describing a feeling of being stuck on a "hamster wheel." His earnings barely covered expenses, leading him to envision a future in coaching.
Returning to Ann Arbor as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Wolverines, King found enjoyment, but the competitive fire never truly died. That familiar "itch" to compete resurfaced, hinting at a path he thought he'd abandoned for good.
A Mindset Revolution Fuels the Comeback
The true turning point arrived when King faced former rival Dennis Novolo, suffering a humbling 6-1 defeat. This loss was a harsh wake-up call, cementing the idea that a casual return simply wouldn't cut it. Evan King realized if he wanted to succeed, he needed a drastic mental overhaul.
His new mantra became clear: "If I lost a match, not just taking the next day off. 'No, get your ass back on the practice court and keep building and keep growing.'" This ironclad resolve transformed his approach, leading to a full-time return to the tour in 2016. That season, he reached four Futures finals, winning two consecutively, and made his long-awaited main draw return at the 2017 Los Cabos event, battling Sam Querrey to a third-set tiebreak. He even qualified for the US Open main draw that year, peaking at a career-high World No. 185 in singles.
Forging Alliances: The Doubles Dominance Takes Shape
While his singles journey saw peaks, Evan King truly began to shine in doubles. Between 2016 and 2020, he amassed an impressive 16 doubles titles on the Challenger circuit. Key partnerships during this period included winning the 2016 Monterrey Challenger with Dennis Kudla and again in 2017 with Christopher Eubanks.
A particularly special connection was formed with childhood friend Nathan Pasha, with whom he secured the 2019 Monterrey Challenger. King highlighted the unique bond within the Black tennis community: "It's such a small community... you automatically have a little bit of bond on shared experiences... kind of get to know all the black dudes that are your same age range and hang out with them, compete with them, cheer for them."
A Pandemic Pause and a Pivotal Decision
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced a global pause, prompting King to reflect on his career at 29 years old. Despite not having cracked the Top 100, his self-belief remained unshaken. "You have to have just unrealistic expectations and belief in yourself, and I do still and I did then," he stated. This introspection led to a strategic decision: focus almost exclusively on doubles, where he felt his best tennis was still ahead.
The Breakthrough Year: Evan King's 2025 Masterclass
The strategic shift paid off spectacularly in 2025. Partnering with Christian Harrison, King found instant chemistry. In just their third tournament together, they clinched the ATP Dallas 500, marking King's first-ever tour-level title. This was no fluke; they followed up with a run to the finals of the Delray Beach 250, then captured another title at the Acapulco 500, before reaching the semifinals of Indian Wells.
"Boom, we are now a partnership. Obviously, we're partners before, but now we're locked in," King recalled. Although tensions arose during a challenging streak later in the year, leading to a mutual decision to split, their professionalism shone through. They continued to dominate, winning the Brussels 250 and culminating their exceptional season at the prestigious ATP Finals in Turin, solidifying their status as the most successful American doubles pair of the year.
Mixed Doubles History at Roland Garros
2025 also saw Evan King etch his name in mixed doubles history. Alongside his Chicago native childhood friend, Taylor Townsend, he reached the Roland Garros finals. This achievement was part of a monumental moment: the first time in Grand Slam history that an African American reached at least the quarterfinals in all five professional disciplines at a single event.
King praised Townsend as an "unbelievable role model to Black kids, to kids, to mothers, to everybody." Sharing that trophy in Paris was "super, super special," underscoring the profound impact of their shared success.
Beyond the Court: Community, Legacy, and the Future
With a new partner, four-time Grand Slam champion Jonathan Peers, Evan King remains optimistic about his future on tour. Yet, his deepest appreciation extends beyond individual accolades to the thriving Black tennis community he cherishes.
"Ben [Shelton]'s awesome. His dad's awesome. Frances [Tiafoe] being able to take tennis and use his platform to do some sweet stuff off the court," King observed. He looks up to younger players who are "taking this to a new level," finding immense satisfaction in the collective growth. King humbly defines his role: "I bring advice if advice is needed. I bring vibes if vibes are needed. I just appreciate what I'm seeing…it's really supportive out there for the black athletes and it's been cool to see." Evan King's journey isn't just a personal triumph; it's a vibrant thread in the rich tapestry of tennis, embodying perseverance, community, and the power of believing in your best self, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
