With family in tow and Coach Farmer on board, John Isner is ready for Season 17 | ATP circuit
When John Isner walks to the court ASB Classic in Auckland on Monday he will begin his 17th season on the ATP Tour.
The 6’10” American has enjoyed a storied career, reaching a career-high No. 8 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and lifting 16 tour-level titles. Last season, the world No. 41 also entered the history books when he broke the world record for aces on the ATP Tour, striking his 13,729 ace against jannik sinner a Wimbledon.
However, at 37 years old, he is not ready to stop yet.
“I still feel pretty good,” Isner told ATPTour.com. “I know I’m in the twilight of my career and a lot of players my age don’t play anymore, so I think I’m very lucky to still be playing. I think I’m the oldest player in the Top 100, which is something I’m very proud of.
“I still like racing, it keeps me going. I would be lying to you if I told you that I love all the work that is done. Sometimes practice can get pretty monotonous, but I love training and off the court I’m just trying to get myself in a good place to compete. players much younger than me. You can’t play tennis forever, so I want to try to make this last as long as possible. I’m ready to accomplish some really great things this year.”
Fans have grown accustomed to Isner’s brand of ‘Big Man’ tennis over the years, with the world No. 41 hitting forehands and firing aces.
Off the court, however, Isner plays the role of father and husband, devoting his attention to his three children and wife Madison, who ride with him on the Tour. For Isner, his continued support is one of the main reasons he still enjoys racing.
“When I came to swing Down Under last year, they weren’t with me,” Isner said. “We still had some restrictions and it would have been difficult for them to come. I was in Australia for three and a half weeks and I was not very happy. I was missing them. I told myself that if things were cleared up they would travel with me and that is why they are here now. It was a direct flight from the airport to my house and the kids slept and watched some movies and now we’re here and having fun.
“I really enjoy having them here. It makes it easy to lose because it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Ten years ago, when I was 27 years old and without a family, without a wife, the losses hurt me more.
With a fourth child on the way, Isner is preparing for more changes in the spring, something he’s already faced on the court. The 37-year-old recently teamed up with the American coach. farmer philip. It’s a partnership that Isner is excited to develop further in the coming months.
Now I am working with farmer philip. He lives in Dallas, so it works. He is also the coach of austin krajicek Y Hans Hach Executioner, with whom I sometimes play doubles. We all live in Dallas, we all train together, so we have a good relationship when we’re all at home practicing,” Isner said.
“I have known him for a long time and I am very happy to have him with me. Phil is a great guy. Practices have been great, I’ve been very focused and I usually go for an hour and a half, maybe two hours and just try to get a lot of work done. I’m really enjoying it so far.”
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Isner hopes his work on the practice court comes to fruition this week in Auckland, where he had previous success. The sixth seed, who lifted the ATP 250 trophy in 2010 and 2014, is excited to be back in town for the first time since he reached the semi-finals in 2020.
“I really enjoy the city,” Isner said. “I’ve played here a lot. My first title win was here in 2010 and then I won again in 2014. I have great memories in Auckland and I enjoy the city. It is so beautiful. The food is excellent and you don’t feel like you are that close to Melbourne. Feels like you have a good week before it’s busy.”
If Isner can perform in Auckland once more, he will move closer to his goal of 500 tour wins.
“I would love to get 500 wins,” said Isner, who currently has 480 tour wins. “I have never set performance goals for myself. I have always had a motto to work hard and take care of myself and let the results fall where they may. But I would love to get to 500 wins. I think that would be an amazing milestone for me. Something I could never have imagined in a million years doing when I turned pro at 22.”