Sam Querrey Bio
Samuel Austin Querrey, known professionally as Sam Querrey, is an American former professional tennis player and current professional pickleball player. Born on October 7, 1987, in San Francisco, California, he built a strong reputation on the ATP Tour as one of the tour’s most dangerous servers. He captured 10 ATP singles titles and 5 ATP doubles titles, reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 11 on February 26, 2018. After retiring from professional tennis in 2022, Querrey transitioned to professional pickleball and currently competes on the PPA Tour as a member of the Atlanta Bouncers Major League Pickleball team.
Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, Querrey used his height and powerful serve to become a perennial threat on fast surfaces, especially grass and hard courts. His best Grand Slam singles result came at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships, where he advanced to the semifinals. Beyond competition, Querrey has begun a broadcast career as a tennis commentator for ESPN and co-hosts the podcast “Nothing Major” with fellow retired American players John Isner, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock.
Sam Querrey Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Samuel Austin Querrey was born on October 7, 1987, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the United States and attended Thousand Oaks High School in California, graduating in 2006. During his teenage years, Querrey developed into one of the most promising young tennis players in the country, training with the goal of reaching the professional level.
Querrey’s father, Mike Querrey, played a significant role in shaping his son’s career path. Mike Querrey had once been drafted by the Detroit Tigers in baseball but chose to attend the University of Arizona instead, a decision he later regretted. He encouraged his son to pursue a professional tennis career rather than follow a similar collegiate route. Sam Querrey ultimately turned down a scholarship offer from the University of Southern California (USC) in order to turn professional in 2006.
Reflecting on that decision, Querrey described it as one of the toughest of his life, noting that the outcome of any given match often influenced his feelings about turning pro versus attending college. His early dedication to the sport paid off when, on June 11, 2006, he became the first player to win a Challenger-level event in his professional debut.
Path to Pickleball
After announcing his retirement from professional tennis in August 2022, Samuel Austin Querrey shifted his competitive focus to professional pickleball. He joined the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, where he quickly established himself as a ranked player. His height, hand-eye coordination, and power translated naturally from tennis to the pickleball court.
Querrey was selected as the first overall pick in the Major League Pickleball draft and was assigned to the Atlanta Bouncers. He continues to compete at a high level in the sport while also exploring opportunities in sports media, including commentary work for ESPN beginning at the 2025 French Open.
Sam Querrey Career
Early Career (2006–2007)
Sam Querrey turned professional in 2006 and made an immediate impact. He captured Challenger titles at Yuba City and Winnetka, won a first-round match at the Indian Wells Masters over Bobby Reynolds, and earned a wildcard into the 2006 US Open, where he defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round. The following year, Querrey reached the third round of the 2007 Australian Open and broke into the world’s top 50 for the first time after a strong run at the Western and Southern Open.
One of the defining moments of his early career came at the 2007 Indianapolis Tennis Championships, where he hit 10 consecutive aces against James Blake in the quarterfinals. That mark is believed to be an Open Era record. By late 2007, Querrey was ranked No. 47 in the world and was the third-ranked American behind Andy Roddick and James Blake.
ATP Tour Breakthrough (2008–2010)
Querrey won his first ATP-level title in March 2008 at the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas, defeating qualifier Kevin Anderson in the final. He continued his rise in 2010, capturing titles at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis (where he also won the doubles title with John Isner), the Serbia Open on clay, and the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on grass. The Queen’s Club victory made him the first American to win that event since Andy Roddick and the first player in 2010 to claim titles on three different surfaces.
That same year, Querrey defended his Farmers Classic title in Los Angeles by defeating world No. 4 Andy Murray in the final, becoming the first man since Andre Agassi to win two consecutive Los Angeles titles. He also reached the fourth round of Wimbledon and the US Open, establishing himself as a top-25 player and the second-ranked American behind Andy Roddick.
Grand Slam Success and No. 11 Ranking (2016–2017)
At the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, Samuel Austin Querrey produced one of the biggest upsets of the year by defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round, snapping Djokovic’s streak of 30 consecutive Grand Slam match wins. He then beat Nicolas Mahut to become the first American man to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2011. In 2017, Querrey defeated world No. 1 Andy Murray in five sets at Wimbledon to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal, where he lost to Marin Čilić in four sets.
Querrey’s 2017 season was the most successful of his career. He also won his first career title over a former world No. 1 by defeating Rafael Nadal in the Acapulco final and reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 US Open. On February 26, 2018, he reached his career-high singles ranking of world No. 11. He was also a member of the United States Davis Cup team that reached the semifinals in 2008, 2012, and 2018.
Retirement Era (2022–Present)
After a 2022 season marked by injury and a drop outside the top 250 in the rankings, Sam Querrey announced his retirement from professional tennis on August 30, 2022. His final match was a first-round loss to Ilya Ivashka at the US Open. Following his retirement, Querrey transitioned into pickleball, podcasting, and broadcasting.
Driving Style and Strengths
Samuel Austin Querrey was right-handed and used a two-handed backhand. He was regarded as one of the best servers on the ATP Tour, using his 6-foot-6 frame to generate tremendous power and angles. He played his best tennis on fast surfaces such as grass and indoor hard courts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Querrey’s signature moment came at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships, where his quarterfinal win over world No. 1 Andy Murray sent him to his first Grand Slam semifinal. He also held the Open Era record with 10 consecutive aces in a single match, set during the 2007 Indianapolis Tennis Championships.
Sam Querrey Career Wins
Over the course of his ATP Tour career, Samuel Austin Querrey won 10 singles titles and 5 doubles titles. He was a consistent performer on hard courts and grass, with his biggest titles coming in Las Vegas, Memphis, Belgrade, Queen’s Club, and Los Angeles. In doubles, he partnered most often with John Isner, winning the Memphis doubles title in 2010.
ATP Tour Highlights
Querrey’s first ATP title came at the 2008 Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas. His most recent singles title came at the 2017 Los Cabos Open, where he defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis in the final. He also won three Los Angeles Farmers Classic titles (2008, 2009, 2010) and was a three-time finalist at the Memphis event.
Other Wins and Performances
Querrey captured a WTT Championship in 2015 as a member of the Washington Kastles and represented the United States in Davis Cup competition from 2008 through 2018, helping the team to three semifinal appearances.
Sam Querrey Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Samuel Austin Querrey comes from a family with a notable sports background. His father, Mike Querrey, was once drafted by the Detroit Tigers in baseball, which influenced his decision to encourage his son to pursue a professional athletic career.
Personal Life
Sam Querrey married Abby Dixon, a model, on June 9, 2018, in Fort Pierce, Florida. The couple resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Querrey is also known for his “Samurai Club,” a fan group started by his high school friends who attend his matches shirtless with the letters “S-A-M-M-Y” painted on their chests.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Samuel Austin Querrey’s focus has shifted away from professional competition and into broadcasting and pickleball. He began his commentary career with ESPN at the 2025 French Open, working as a tennis analyst during major tournament coverage. He also continues to compete on the PPA Tour in professional pickleball, representing the Atlanta Bouncers in Major League Pickleball.
Querrey is also an active podcaster in 2025, co-hosting “Nothing Major” alongside John Isner, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock. The show has become popular among tennis fans for its behind-the-scenes look at the professional tour from the perspective of retired American players.
Looking ahead, Querrey is expected to continue balancing his pickleball career with his growing presence in tennis media. He was also announced in December 2025 as having retired from pickleball competition, paving the way for further focus on commentary and podcasting work going into 2026.
