John Isner

John Robert Isner (born April 26, 1985) is a renowned American former professional tennis player. Known for his powerful serve, Isner was ranked as high as world No. 8 in singles and No. 14 in doubles by the Association of Tennis Professionals. He is often heralded as one of the best servers to have ever played on the ATP Tour.

Early Life and Education

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Isner attended the University of Georgia where he played for the Georgia Bulldogs. His college career was impressive with a singles win-loss record of 143–28 and 140–27 in doubles. During his tenure, Isner achieved the honor of being ranked the top college tennis player in the nation on several occasions and won multiple tournaments.

Professional Career

Isner turned professional in 2007 and quickly became known for his imposing height of 6'10" (2.08 m), which he leveraged to deliver powerful and effective serves. He resided in Tampa, Florida during his early professional years, where he trained at the Saddlebrook Academy, alongside other American pros like James Blake and Mardy Fish.

Notable Matches

One of the most notable matches in Isner's career was the Isner–Mahut match during the 2010 Wimbledon Championships. This historic first-round match against French qualifier Nicolas Mahut became the longest in professional tennis history, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes across three days. Isner eventually won the match 70–68 in the final set.

Achievements

Throughout his career, Isner accumulated significant achievements, including winning prestigious tournaments and reaching the quarter-finals and semi-finals of Grand Slam events. He achieved a remarkable milestone at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships by setting the record for the most aces in a tournament, with 214 aces.

Personal Life

Isner married Madison McKinley, a jewelry designer, on December 2, 2017, in Bluffton, South Carolina. Together, they have four children. As of 2024, he is one of the hosts of the "Nothing Major" podcast alongside fellow retired American players Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock.