Renowned for his powerful serves, American tennis star John Isner has revealed his intention to retire from professional tennis after the upcoming U.S. Open. The decision comes from the player who holds the record for the most aces in ATP Tour history.
Isner, 38, embarked on his professional journey in 2007, attaining a career-best ranking of world number eight during his extensive tenure. Over the course of his career, he clinched 16 singles titles, with the pinnacle being his victory at the 2018 Miami Open, which marked his most triumphant season.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Isner expressed his sentiments, stating, “After 17+ years on the @atptour, it’s time to say goodbye to professional tennis.” He emphasized that while this transition presents its challenges, he eagerly anticipates embracing it wholeheartedly, alongside his devoted family. Married to Madison, Isner is a father of four.
His final competitive appearance will be at the prestigious @usopen. Isner affirmed, “Time to lace ’em up one last time.”
The North Carolina native, recognized for his towering stature, set an ATP record with a staggering 14,411 aces throughout his illustrious career. Furthermore, he secured the title for the fastest serve ever officially recorded—an astounding 157.2 mph (253 kph) missile that he unleashed during the 2016 Davis Cup’s opening round.
A defining moment in his career occurred during the epic marathon match at Wimbledon in 2010, where Isner triumphed in the longest pro tennis match in history. Spanning an astounding 11 hours and 5 minutes over three days, Isner ultimately emerged victorious against qualifier Nicolas Mahut in the first round. This remarkable feat led to Wimbledon implementing rule changes to prevent similar marathon matches in the future.
Isner’s journey also included notable achievements on the courts of the All-England Club, where he reached the semifinals in 2018. He advanced to the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open twice—once in 2011 and then again in 2018.
With a career marked by exceptional serves, strategic victories, and historic moments, John Isner’s legacy in professional tennis is undoubtedly indelible. As the U.S. Open approaches, the tennis world eagerly awaits his final appearance, a fitting conclusion to a remarkable journey on the court.
