Farewell, John Isner

09/01/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

38-Year-Old John Isner Exits U.S. Open in 4-Hour, 5-Set Thriller; Gives Emotional Retirement Speech After Final Match

Top seeds were safe from upset bids on Thursday at the U.S. Open (at least in the top 10), but the best match of the day came from two unranked players in an emotional, fan-packed afternoon clash. American John Isner, 38 years old, announced last month that the 2023 U.S. Open would mark the final tennis tournament of his 17-year career. He held a two-set lead against 25-year-old Michael Mmoh before the wheels fell off. Mmoh earned a survival victory in the third set before forcing a fifth set and winning another tiebreaker. The match was nearly four hours long.

Isner’s Career In Review

The 6-foot-10 Isner has never scaled the mountain to win a grand slam, but he has been one of the most iconic American male tennis players of the last generation. Isner earned 16 ATP singles titles, eight doubles titles, and a trip to the Wimbledon semifinal in 2018. He spent 10 seasons ranked in the top 20, and he was the top-ranked American man for half of his playing career (eight seasons). To top it off, he holds the ATP record for most career aces (14,470) and the fastest serve (157.2 mph). Congrats to Big John on a great career!

Watch: John Isner Gives Emotional Retirement Speech

Highlights: M. Mmoh def. J. Isner (3-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6)

Men’s Singles Highlights

#1 C. Alcaraz def. L. Harris (6-3, 6-1, 7-6)

#3 D. Medvedev def. C. O’Connell (6-2, 6-2, 6-7, 6-2)

#6 J. Sinner def. L. Sonego (6-4, 6-2, 6-4)

#8 A. Rublev def. G. Monfils (6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1)

Women’s Singles Highlights

#2 A. Sabalenka def. J. Burrage (6-3, 6-2)

#3 J. Pegula def. P. Tig (6-3, 6-1)

#5 O. Jabeur def. L. Noskova (7-6, 4-6, 6-3)

#9 M. Vondrousova def. M. Trevisan (6-2, 6-2)

Full U.S. Open Weekend Schedule

SI: Elina Svitolina Checks in on Husband, Gael Monfils, in Adorable U.S. Open Moment

Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images