In preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, we're profiling 20 of the top medal contenders.
Tennis’ marathon man is committed to making another extended run in London.
John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played the longest match in tennis history, an 11 hour and five-minute epic that spanned three days at Wimbledon in 2010. After an opening-round Wimbledon exit last month, Isner is determined to stick around longer when the Olympics get underway at SW19.
The 6’9” American should benefit from the Olympics’ best-of-three-set format, which diminishes the prospect of marathons and should save the big man’s strength, both for singles and doubles. Isner will partner Andy Roddick, giving the USA one of the biggest-serving doubles teams in Olympic history. Isner has played some of his best tennis for his country: He beat both Roger Federer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Davis Cup play earlier this year.
“It's a very big priority. It's my first Olympic Games,” said Isner. “The goal is to try to medal for our country.”
Previous Olympic Singles Results
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Previous Olympic Doubles Results
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More Olympic Profiles:
—Agnieszka Radwanska
—Ana Ivanovic
—Andy Murray
—Andy Roddick
—Angelique Kerber
—Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
—John Isner
—Juan Martin del Potro
—Kei Nishikori
—Kim Clijsters
—Li Na
—Maria Sharapova
—Milos Raonic
—Novak Djokovic
—Petra Kvitova
—Roger Federer
—Serena Williams
—Tomas Berdych
—Venus Williams
—Victoria Azarenka