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John Isner, USA’s top-ranked player, was ranked No. 19 in the world at the start of the French Open. The former University of Georgia All-American has won more than $1,180,000 in his career and has reached his highest ranking ever, rising 123 places in the last 15 months.
With a dominating first serve, the towering 6’9" native of Greensboro, N.C. captured his first tournament win in Auckland. Earlier this year, Isner was named by Captain Patrick McEnroe to the U.S. Davis Cup team for the first time.
Isner's most famous win was only a first round match at this year's Wimbledon. But, it was just the longest match in tennis history against Nicholas Mahut of France. The endless three day battle ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. The final match time was clocked at 11 hours and 5 minutes. The previous pro match record was 6 hours and 33 minutes. The 138 games in the fifth set eclipses the longest match ever played at Wimbledon of 122 games. This match, which ended on an Isner backhand pass, went 183 games.