NEW YORK — After tearfully addressing the capacity crowd at Grandstand, and needing multiple moments to compose himself, John Isner gave one more hug to Michael Mmoh, the man who ended his career, and took a deep breath.
He then grabbed his bag, waved to the crowd — who remained on their feet, showering him with applause — and slowly walked off the court, as if he wasn’t quite ready for it all to be over.
But Isner’s storied singles career had come to an end, after nearly four hours and a 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (7) loss to Mmoh in the second round of the US Open on Thursday.
The 38-year-old Isner tweeted last week he would be retiring following the tournament. “After 17+ years on the ATP Tour, it’s time to say goodbye to professional tennis,” he wrote. “This transition won’t be easy but I’m looking forward to every second of it with my amazing family.”
After 17+ years on the @atptour, it’s time to say goodbye to professional tennis. This transition won’t be easy but I’m looking forward to every second of it with my amazing family.
The @usopen will be my final event. Time to lace ’em up one last time. ❤️ ♥️ 💜 pic.twitter.com/GyRTXGNK8G
— John Isner (@JohnIsner) August 23, 2023
Thursday’s defeat marked the end of a notable chapter for not just Isner, but for American men’s tennis.
After a successful collegiate career at Georgia, in which he won the NCAA doubles title in 2005 and the team title in 2007, Isner turned pro in 2007 and quickly made a name for himself. Peaking at No. 8 in 2018, he recorded 16 singles titles and a Wimbledon semifinal appearance. Known for his incredible serve, Isner has the most aces in tour history (14,470) and also notched the ATP’s fastest official serve at 157.2 miles per hour.
He’s also known for his victory in the longest professional tennis match in the sport’s history. Isner defeated Nicolas Mahut during the first round at Wimbledon in 2010 in a match that needed five sets, 183 games and more than 11 hours on court spread out over three days. The feat is commemorated by a plaque that remains outside the court at the All England Club.
But despite his trophies and spots in the record books, Isner’s most…
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