The American giant John Isner (2m08), known for having played the longest match ever played on the ATP circuit in 2010 at Wimbledon, announced on Wednesday that he would retire after the US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the season. “After more than 17 years on the ATP Tour, it’s time to say goodbye to professional tennis,” Isner, 38, wrote on the X social network, formerly Twitter. “The US Open will be my last event.”
Isner is best known for playing the longest match on the ATP Tour against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. In 2010 on the grass of Wimbledon, the duel lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes, over three days, ending in a victory for the American 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7- 6 (7/3), 70-68. “70-68 is a basketball score,” he laughed, saying he would never forget this score.
The right-hander reached the quarters twice at Flushing Meadows in 2011 and 2018, with his almost 2.10 meters and one of the most powerful serves on the circuit. “This transition is not going to be easy,” said the former world No.8, however, ensuring that he was “impatient” to experience it with his wife and four children.
With a figure of 14,411, John Isner holds the record for the number of aces slammed ahead of the US Open which kicks off on Monday. He was the highest-ranked American at the ATP for nine consecutive years, between 2012 and 2020, and remained in the top 20 from 2010 to 2019.
The Greensboro giant has 16 singles titles to his credit, including 14 won in the United States, including the prestigious Miami Masters 1000, snatched from Alexander Zverev in 2018.
