Growing up in North Carolina, John Isner followed fellow Americans Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier. He saw them as an inspiration for him to reach the ATP Tour one day.
"It was something for me to strive for," Isner said. "Waking up in the morning and seeing Pete Sampras in the Wimbledon final was pretty cool. I honestly never thought I would be playing at Wimbledon. But looking back on those days, I really realize how special that was."
At a glance
JOHN ISNER
AGE 31 (April 26, 1985, Greensboro, N.C.)
HOMETOWN Tampa, Fla.
HT./WT. 6-10, 238 pounds
ATP RANKING No. 19 (top U.S. player)
CAREER RECORD/TITLES 321-198 (33-21 in 2016); 10 titles
EARNINGS $9,791,764 in singles play ($10,730,509 singles and doubles combined)
NOTEWORTHY Reached career-high No. 9 on April 16, 2012. … Reached first Grand Slam quarterfinal at 2011 U.S. Open, losing to No. 4 Andy Murray. … Earned first title in 2010 at Auckland. Has won in Atlanta three times (2013-2015). Also won at Auckland in 2014, Newport twice (2011, 2012), Winston-Salem in 2011 and 2012, and Houston in 2013. … Coached by Rene Moller and David MacPherson.
As he heads into the 2017 ATP season, Isner is now the top men's tennis player in the United States.
Isner, 31, is the 19th-ranked men's tennis player in this week's ATP ranking.
Isner held a private clinic at the Little Rock Athletic Club on Thursday and later met with fans to promote the Memphis Open, which will be played February 11-19 at the Racquet Club in Memphis.
Memphis is one of 10 cities to host an ATP tournament, along with New York, Indian Wells, Calif., Miami, Houston, Newport, R.I., Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Cincinnati and Winston-Salem, N.C.
Being able to play in his home country is a big deal for Isner.
"I consider myself fortunate to play Memphis every year," Isner said.
Isner turned professional in 2007 after playing at the University of Georgia, where he was a four-time All-American (2004-2007). He has won 10 singles' titles in his career, with his last victory coming in 2015 at Atlanta. Earlier this month, Isner lost to current No. 1 Andy Murray in the finals of the Paris Masters.
Before playing in the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 16 in Melbourne, Isner will play in the ASB Classic (Jan. 9) in Auckland.
Over the next month and a half, Isner said he plans to be in the gym working out getting ready for the 2017 ATP season. He told the younger tennis players present at the Athletic Club on Thursday that it's important to exercise, to help prevent injuries on the court.
"I'm not a little guy. I'm a big dude, so I've got to stay in the gym as much as possible," the 6-10 Isner said. "Being so big, I [am] somewhat susceptible to injuries. But I've been pretty fortunate."
Isner said he wants to stay at the top of his game and being in shape during the time he's off the court is important for that to happen.
"I've morphed into a veteran. I never thought that day would come," Isner said. "I'm the elder statesman of American men's professional tennis right now.
"But I can still do it right now. I think I can play at a high level very well for many years to come."
Isner praised the group of younger American tennis players whom he believes can become champions in the future. Jack Sock, 24, is ranked 23rd in the word while Taylor Fritz, 19, is ranked 70th. He and Memphis Open tournament director Erin Mazurek also mentioned Reilly Opelka, 19, as an American to watch. Opelka is 208th in the current ATP ranking.
"There are very good players," Isner said. "In my opinion American tennis hasn't had a group of younger players this good in quite a long time. It's very encouraging."
Sports on 11/18/2016