In Defense of John Isner

John Isner’s 2014 U.S. Open Series began with a match that ended like so many others in his career: With sevens on the scoreboard. The Sultan of Serve swatted four consecutive aces to close out Robby Ginepri in Atlanta, 4-6, 7-6, 7-5—the latest Isner scoreline to resemble reels on a slot machine. Isner has played 114 sets this year, and 61 of them (53 percent) finished 7-5 or 7-6.

The win added to Isner’s impressive haul of victories on home soil. In a statistical analysis by FiveThirtyEight.com this past March, the eight-year pro was said to have won “more than two-thirds of his matches in the U.S., but just half elsewhere.” In the past two seasons, Isner is 21-21 outside of the States, and 47-18 (72 percent) in them.

One of those 18 losses came after Isner went on to win Atlanta, in Washington. There, on Grandstand 1, Steve Johnson beat Isner, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6.

“I didn’t like playing out there,” the top-ranked American said afterward. “I just didn't think I deserved to play on that court. Simple as that.”

A regular drawing card in D.C., Isner had a point—one Johnson agreed with in his own press conference. But the ATP 500 tournament, which boasted four of the world’s top 12 players, scheduled Isner on the outer court because of accommodations made to its international broadcast partners. On this day, their requests took precedence. Isner was offered a time to play in the main stadium, albeit at an undesirable, late hour. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the tournament’s decision.

The mini-controversy also hit on a bigger point about Isner, less about court placement and more about his place in the sport. And it’s only intensified as he’s risen up the rankings.

When Isner wins, the 6’10” rocket launcher is often panned for relying on one shot to win and playing an unappealing style of tennis. When he loses, Isner becomes one of the answers to the nauseating question, What’s wrong with American tennis?, as if he has failed to carry the well-lit torch once held by legends like Connors, McEnroe, Sampras, and Agassi.

To me, John Isner is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. Rodney Dangerfield would have put it another way: John Isner just don’t get no respect—or at least not enough, in my opinion. He is not only the United States’ top male threat (by far), he is one of the only ATP players to stand out during the prolonged dominion of the Big Four. He’s done so with offense; I will back him up with some defense.

I’m no doctor, but I sense that many tennis fans and critics have contracted “Isner fatigue” over the past few years. To some degree, I can understand why—if there’s a tournament taking place in United States, odds are, Isner is playing it. This year, in addition to the four Masters events in North America, Isner entered Delray Beach, Houston, Newport, Atlanta, Washington, and, this week, Winston-Salem. (He also found time to play some World TeamTennis.) And at nearly every one of those tournaments, each time Isner played, he was a feature attraction, scheduled on the biggest court and given a televised time slot.

But here’s the thing: At most of those smaller events, Isner performed well and justified his preferred status. He took two opening-round losses on the chin, but won at least two matches everywhere else. In 2013, Isner played seven U.S. tournaments at the ATP 250 or 500 level. He reached the semifinals at all but one, and claimed two titles.

Did the competition at these tournaments leave something to be desired? Compared to Masters tournaments, sure. But let’s remember: Isner also reached finals in Cincinnati last year and Indian Wells the year before; and, more to the point, he played the players in front of him. It’s not his fault that his countryman haven’t been able to keep pace (Isner remains the only American inside the ATP Top 40).

Even if Isner goes on to struggle next week at the biggest U.S. tournament of all, the Open, his play shouldn’t be seen as emblematic of his nation as a whole. Tennis loves to play up nationalism—look at a scoreboard or draw sheet, and you’ll see a flag or country abbreviation next to a players’ name. But it’s an individual sport, and players play first and foremost for themselves.

Isner does represent something, however—something the U.S. men’s crop hasn’t had since the halcyon days of Andy Roddick: Consistency. If you bash Donald Young, Sam Querrey, or Ryan Harrison for their inconsistency, you have to acknowledge the years’ worth of deep runs that Isner has made on hard-court events, including some at the highest level.

Speaking of the old days, remember when the game’s top players played more than just the top tournaments? Isner is a rare exception to what has become standard practice for the big names. In the past 12 months, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray have played a combined seven ATP 250 tournaments—the same number that Isner has played in 2014.

“I don’t know a person that says a negative thing about John,” Bill Oakes, the tournament director of the Winston-Salem Open, told me. “He’s been professional—but more importantly, he’s been genuine about supporting tennis.”

Oakes assured me in our conversation that other tournament directors, including many outside the United States, have spoken highly of the Greensboro, N.C. native. One of them, the BB&T Atlanta Open’s Eddie Gonzalez, lauded the former Georgia Bulldog:

“John has been a champion both on and off the court, which is why I nominated him for the annual Emirates Airline US Open Series Sportsmanship Award.”

In Gonzalez’s email to me, he called Isner “down to earth,” a compliment that may seem rather banal. You might even have a hard time believing him if the only thing you ever read about Isner was his court-assignment gripe in Washington.

But I will vouch for Gonzalez’s remark, and I know I’m not the only member of the media who can. In 2012 I traveled to Indian Wells for a Tennis magazine cover story on Isner, whom I had never previously met or spoke to. Our first conversation, following an all-business practice session with Kevin Anderson, took place over lunch, outside of the press-room cocoon. It was my first assignment of this magnitude, and somewhat intimidating.

John treated me like a doubles partner, not an opponent. From my first question to my last, he was accommodating, honest, and respectful. It was a comfortable chat, in large part because John is so comfortable with who he is. We talked tactics and tennis, but we also talked about his dog, his mom’s cooking, and his favorite websites. He even gave me his thoughts on who the GOAT is—in professional wrestling, at least.

“Shawn Michaels,” Isner said. “No question about it. Every one of his matches was the one when everyone was on the edge of their seats.”

It’s fitting that Isner is such a passionate wresting fan, for the man is part athlete, part entertainer. Outside of the Big Four and possibly Juan Martin del Potro, no other active ATP player has given us more dramatic matches than Isner. He challenges the game’s greats with a unique test, one that usually takes hours to pass or fail.

The seeds were sown seven years ago in Washington, when, months after turning pro, Isner beat five players in third-set tiebreakers to reach his first ATP final. Years later, major marathons and memorable matches began to sprout:

• 2009 U.S. Open: Isner d. Roddick, 7-6 (3), 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 7-6 (5)

• 2010 Davis Cup First Round (in Serbia, on clay): Djokovic d. Isner, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-4

• 2010 Wimbledon: Isner d. Mahut, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68

• 2011 Roland Garros: Nadal d. Isner, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-4

• 2011 Paris Masters (Semifinals): Tsonga d. Isner, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (3)

• 2012 Davis Cup First Round (in Switzerland, on clay): Isner d. Federer, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2

• 2012 Indian Wells (Semifinals): Isner d. Djokovic, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 7-6 (5)

• 2012 Roland Garros: Mathieu d. Isner, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 18-16

• 2013 Cincinnati (Quarterfinals): Isner d. Djokovic, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-5

• 2013 Cincinnati (Semifinals): Isner d. del Potro, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (9), 6-3

Isner’s serve played a massive role in the outcomes of these matches, but he deserves credit for more than just his signature shot. He kept up with Nole in rallies, fired winners past Roger and Rafa on clay—and, in case you forgot, prevailed after 11 hours and three days of play in the longest match ever. Plenty of gigantic servers have made their marks on tour, but few have established residency inside the Top 15 for nearly two-and-a-half years. That’s what Isner has done, because he’s gotten more out of his game than almost anyone else in tennis.

And he’s done it all under tremendous pressure. Each of Isner’s service games is an event—he makes them look routine, but considering his paper-thin margins of victory, there’s so much at stake each time he steps to the baseline. The same goes for his return games. Djokovic or Murray he is not, so when Isner reaches 15-30, or earns a break point, it’s pivotal that he converts.

In an era when breaks of serve are traded like stocks, Isner’s throwback, throwdown approach to tennis is actually quite refreshing—and compelling. You never know when a match of his will take a sharp turn thanks to one key return or one missed serve. Tiebreakers, the crucibles of tennis, are his sanctuaries. He’s the Stephen King of tennis, continuing to author thrillers with no end in sight.

He keeps people on the edge of their seats.

None of this is to say that John Isner has a lack of fan support. He had plenty of it last week in Cincinnati, as evidenced by his tweet above, and he’ll have even more as his U.S. Open Series comes to an end in his home state. But I do think we’re underrating this overachiever, overall.

After his latest cliffhanger, a final-set tiebreaker loss to Andy Murray despite holding two match points, Isner viewed the glass as half full. “I have no regrets … Obviously I'd love to still be here and prepare for possibly playing Roger [Federer, in the quarterfinals of Cincy]. That would have been unbelievable.

“But I'll have more chances against guys like that.”

The U.S. Open, where Isner has reached at least the third round each of the past five years, seems a likely venue for such encounters. If they come to pass, sit back, get comfortable—clear a few hours—and enjoy.

Tuesday, August 19: In Defense of John Isner
Tuesday, August 19: Tennis Tuesday vs. The Real Housewives of New York City
Wednesday, August 20:Catching Up with Matt Cronin
Wednesday, August 20: Welcome to the U.S. Open: Qualifying Report
Thursday, August 21: Throwback Thursday: Our Favorite U.S. Open Matches #tbt
Thursday, August 21:Cover it Live, Live from the U.S. Open Draw
Thursday, August 21:U.S. Open Expert Picks
Friday, August 22:The Stars Spell "Roger"
Friday, August 22: Men's Bracket Breakdown
Friday, August 22:Women's Bracket Breakdown
Saturday, August 23: World View: Tennis is Global, Not National
Sunday, August 24:Svetlana Kuznetsova's Title, 10 Years Later