Isner signs off with Open loss

Tearful American gutted to say goodbye, but proud of his achievements

NEW YORK:

John Isner brought the curtain down on his tennis career Thursday in a five-set loss to fellow American Michael Mmoh in the second round at the US Open.

The 38-year-old Isner surrendered a two-set lead as world number 89 Mmoh saved a match point and came back to win 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 7-6 (10/7) in just under four hours.

"It's tough," said an emotional Isner, who buried his head in his towel while soaking up the adulation of the Grandstand crowd.

"This is why I've worked as hard as I have my whole life, to play in atmospheres like this. Of course I don't win them all, as we know.

"Just like today, to play in front of this crowd, to have the support I have, is pretty special. So thank you."

The big-serving Isner, who famously took part in the longest tennis match ever played at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, announced last week his plans to retire after the US Open.

"I wanted one more US Open, and was able to get that, so... It was a fun match overall. Of course, the result is disappointing, but I'm proud of what I've achieved in my career," he said.

"Tennis has been a huge part of my life. It's tough to say goodbye. It's not easy. But eventually this day would come. It's hard to prepare for the emotions of it."

Isner was a quarter-finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2011 and 2018, the same year he also reached the last four at Wimbledon.

The 6-foot-10 (2.08m) Isner, a former world number eight, departs as the ATP Tour's all-time leader in aces with 14,470.

He was the top-ranked American in the year-end rankings for nine straight years from 2012-2020 and finished inside the top 20 in the world rankings for a decade from 2010-2019.

Isner has won 16 ATP singles titles – including the 2018 Miami Masters – and eight doubles titles. He was a US Davis Cup regular, posting 15 singles victories and two doubles victories in 18 appearances in the international tournament.

But it is arguably his record-breaking epic with Mahut at Wimbledon for which Isner will be best remembered, as he won the fifth set 70-68 to conclude an 11-hour epic spanning three days.

"This year, it was tough to stay healthy and stay on the practice court. I just haven't been able to do that. Then my results suffer," said Isner, whose ranking had tumbled to 157.

"I think the decision for me was pretty easy to retire.

"I'm 38 years old. Played a long, long career of tennis. Really can't ask for anything more from this sport. It's given me so many amazing moments, moments I'll never forget."