John Isner Announces Retirement From Professional Tennis After 2023 US Open

Thursday, 24 August 2023 at 11:00

byNurein Ahmed

Former ATP World No. 8 John Isner announced his imminent retirement from professional tennis after playing this year's US Open one last time.

The 38-year-old shared the news on all his social media platforms, a decision that looked on the cards for a while now since his forthright admission about tennis not being his priority anymore. He had spoken about putting his family first, which explains why he has only played four tournaments outside the American continent this season.

Isner penned a heartfelt post on his Instagram account stating that in light of what had transpired, it was the right decision, and couldn't think of a better way to bring the curtain down to his 17-plus-year career than in New York.

Isner was granted a wild card at his home Slam and will play in his 17th and final US Open main draw next week. Since his debut appearance at Flushing Meadows back in 2007, Isner has played in each edition of the US Open for 16 years.

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"After 17+ years on the ⁦ATP Tour⁩, it’s time to say goodbye to professional tennis. This transition won’t be easy but I’m looking forward to every second of it with my amazing family. The ⁦US Open⁩ will be my final event. Time to lace ‘em up one last time."

— John Isner posted on X

Having dropped outside the world's Top 100 after a difficult year, Isner was a stalwart of American tennis in the past decade. Barring a miraculous US Open win, Isner will finish his career with 16 ATP titles, none as memorable as his lone Masters 1000 triumph in Miami in 2018, becoming the last man to win the event during its final staging in Key Biscayne.

Among other notable accomplishments: Isner finished in the world's Top 20 for 10 consecutive seasons and was a one-time Grand Slam semifinalist (2018 Wimbledon). The North Carolina native is synonymous with playing the longest professional tennis match in history at Wimbledon in 2010 - an 11-hour 5-minute marathon spanning over three days to beat Nicolas Mahut.

Isner also holds the record for the most aces in ATP Tour history, tallying an impressive 14,411 aces during his distinguished career as of August 24th, 2023.