Renowned American tennis player John Isner has announced his retirement through social media, revealing that the upcoming US Open will conclude his remarkable career. The 38-year-old athlete’s 17th consecutive appearance at the prestigious event will mark the end of an era in the world of tennis.
Over the course of his illustrious journey, Isner clinched an impressive 16 ATP Tour titles and participated in a total of 488 tour-level matches. Notably, he also earned the distinction of competing in the ATP Finals in 2018.
In his heartfelt announcement, Isner stated, “Every athlete reaches a point in their career when they must make the decision to step away. For me, that time has come. While this decision wasn’t made lightly, I believe it’s the right path for me. Reflecting on my journey, it’s incredible to think that when I left the University of Georgia in 2007, I couldn’t have foreseen a 17-year tenure on the ATP Tour.”
He further expressed his pride in his accomplishments, acknowledging the countless memorable moments on his tennis journey.
Isner’s farewell to professional tennis will occur at the US Open, and he expressed his excitement about concluding his career amidst the passionate atmosphere of New York City. Having participated in the US Open for each of his 17 years in the sport, Isner anticipates bidding adieu to the tennis court in front of devoted American fans at Flushing Meadows.
John Isner leaves behind a remarkable legacy as one of tennis’s premier servers. His prowess on the court is evident in his astounding record of 14,411 career aces, a feat unparalleled in the sport. This achievement is underscored by the fact that only five players have reached the 10,000-ace milestone.
Throughout his career, Isner consistently ranked within the Top 20 of the year-end ATP Rankings for an impressive 10 consecutive years from 2010 to 2019. He also secured the coveted year-end No. 1 American ranking eight times between 2012 and 2020. His career reached its pinnacle in July 2018 when he achieved a career-high World No. 8 ranking after reaching his first major semi-final at Wimbledon.
Isner’s legacy extends to his remarkable accomplishments beyond singles play. He made history by becoming the oldest first-time ATP Masters 1000 singles champion at the age of 32, emerging victorious in Miami in 2018. Additionally, he boasts five Masters 1000 doubles titles to his name.
Notably, Isner’s impact on the sport extends to his notable victories against tennis icons Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka.
As John Isner prepares to take his final bow on the professional tennis stage, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence, sportsmanship, and a truly formidable serving prowess.
-IANS
