John Isner Bids Emotional Farewell: John Isner Bids Emotional Farewell: John Isner’s tennis career ended sadly at the US Open, despite a tough match against Michael Mmoh. Isner gave his all in a nearly four-hour match but lost his cool after losing. The US tennis player was on the ATP Tour for 17 years. He was known for his strong serve, setting an all-time record of 14,470 aces.
Isner’s departure marks the end of an era for American tennis, as he was the country’s top star since Roddick and Fish. He’ll be remembered for being the top American player and participating in two iconic Wimbledon matches. In 2010, he defeated Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set. In 2018, he lost to Kevin Anderson 26-24 in the 5th set. Both matches altered Grand Slam rules permanently.
At 38, Isner struggled to maintain top-level play. Isner decided to retire after dropping out of the top 150, making the US Open his final tournament. Isner, 6’10” tall, said, “It’s not easy to prepare my body for 17 years of continuous play.” This match showed Isner’s game fluctuations. He was up two sets to none and had a match point but lost to Mmoh 3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6.Isner’s strength was also his weakness in popularity. With three Grand Slam wins, Andy Murray claimed his serve was “the best ever.” However, it received less fan love than a great forehand or backhand would. He was called a “servebot,” implying he was dull to watch.
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Isner greatly influenced the sport’s style of play. Due to lengthy matches, including Wimbledon, all four Grand Slams now have a super-tiebreaker for the final set. The new rules were mainly to prevent lengthy matches like Isner’s. Opinions on Isner vary. Some see him as one-dimensional, but others view his skills as genius. “I think he’s the best server ever,” Mmoh said of Isner, noting the difficulty of breaking his serve.
Despite Isner’s departure not significantly impacting American tennis, players like Reilly Opelka are emerging, ensuring his distinctive skills and impact on the game’s rules endure. Despite not winning a Grand Slam, Isner had a significant and controversial career, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Why is John Isner retiring?
Isner, the 38-year-old American tennis sensation known for his remarkable serve and swift moves, revealed, “I took to the court with my young son, guiding him as he learns to handle the ball.” Retiring was a sentimental moment for him, but he believes it’s time to embark on the next phase of his journey.
Has John Isner ever won a slam?
Isner may not have clinched a major victory, but he can still boast about his remarkable accomplishments. His role in the longest tennis match ever at Wimbledon, where he emerged victorious in a grueling three-day, five-set battle against Nicolas Mahut, is a standout achievement.
How tall is John Isner the tennis player?
Born on April 26, 1985, John Robert Isner is a retired American tennis pro. He reached world No. 8 in singles and No. 14 in doubles as per the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).