American tennis star John Isner, renowned for holding the record for the longest match in tennis history, recently announced his retirement following the upcoming US Open in New York. Isner, who received a wild card invitation to play in the final Grand Slam of the year, expressed his belief that it was the right decision in a statement on Instagram. The tennis ace stated, “I can’t think of a better way to end my career than by competing in New York City. I’ve participated in the US Open for all 17 years of my career, and I’m looking forward to playing my last match in front of the passionate American fans in Flushing Meadows.”
Known for his formidable serve, Isner has won 16 singles titles and holds the ATP record for the most aces, with a tally of 14,411 since his ATP debut in 2007. One of the defining moments in Isner’s career was his historic match against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010, which lasted a grueling 11 hours and five minutes over three days before Isner emerged victorious in five sets. This match surpassed the previous record for the longest match by over four hours.
In 2018, Isner reached his career-best ranking of No. 8 after making it to the Wimbledon semifinals, where he participated in the fourth-longest match in tennis history. The 38-year-old athlete, who is a father of four, acknowledged that life after tennis would present its challenges but expressed gratitude towards his wife, Madison, and parents in an emotional tribute highlighting the memorable moments of his career. Isner admitted, “I won’t pretend that this transition will be easy, because it won’t be. Tennis has been a major part of my life for over 20 years.” He added, “Waking up every morning with the goal of becoming a better player has been a source of immense pride for me, and now I will have to redirect my energy elsewhere. It’s a challenge that I eagerly anticipate.”
Isner, who made his professional debut in 2007, achieved 488 wins as a singles competitor and another 151 wins in doubles. As a representative of the US at the 2012 London Olympics, he reached the quarterfinals. Reflecting on his journey, Isner expressed his gratitude towards the individuals who have played a significant role both professionally and personally in shaping him as a player and as a person. The identity of Isner’s final opponent is yet to be determined, with the main draw for the US Open set to be revealed on Thursday.
Isner’s retirement announcement prompted messages of admiration and support from fellow players and fans. Rising star Coco Gauff commented on Instagram, “Amazing career. Wishing you all the best.” Former No.8-ranked player Diego Schwartzman shared, “My twinnnn! I will miss you.” Renowned tennis player turned broadcaster Patrick McEnroe took to Twitter to commend Isner, stating, “Incredible ride, big man. You gave it your all.”
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