John Isner

John Isner is an American former professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest servers in tennis history. He reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 8 in July 2018 after winning his first Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open and making a semifinal run at Wimbledon the same year.

Isner owns the ATP Tour record for the most career aces, totaling 14,470 as of August 31, 2023. He is also remembered for playing the longest professional tennis match ever recorded, outlasting Nicolas Mahut at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships in an 11-hour, 5-minute marathon spread over three days.

Player Profile and Personal Life

John Robert Isner was born on April 26, 1985, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to Robert and Karen Isner. He is 208 cm tall and he is right-handed with a two-handed backhand.

He married jewelry designer Madison McKinley on December 2, 2017, and together they have four children. In June 2024, Isner made his professional pickleball debut, expanding his presence in racket sports beyond tennis.

High School and College Career

From age nine, he developed his tennis skills before taking the sport seriously at 11. He led Walter Hines Page Senior High School to a state championship in 2001 and participated in junior tournaments, including the 2002 US Open.

He attended the University of Georgia, where he majored in speech communication and achieved All-American status.

After turning professional in 2007, Isner trained at Saddlebrook Academy in Florida and later settled in Dallas, Texas.

Isner started playing tennis as a child and competed in local and national tournaments.

He reached the finals in several junior events, showing early promise that continued into his collegiate career.

Career

Isner began his professional career in 2007, immediately making an impact by reaching the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C. His trademark serve allowed him to dominate on fast surfaces and rise quickly through the ATP rankings.

Throughout his career, Isner recorded 16 ATP singles titles and was a consistent presence in the top 20 for over a decade. He reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon in 2018 and made quarterfinal runs at the US Open in 2011 and 2018.

Isner is perhaps best known for his unprecedented feat at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, where he played the longest professional match ever against Nicolas Mahut, winning 70–68 in the fifth set after more than 11 hours of play.

He also owns the record for the fastest serve in ATP history at 157.2 mph, established during a Davis Cup match in 2016.

In doubles, Isner captured eight titles, reached a career-high ranking of No. 14, and was a quarterfinalist at the Australian Open.

In team competitions, he played a key role in the United States' Hopman Cup victory in 2011 and helped the US reach the Davis Cup semifinals in 2012 and 2018.

After retiring at the 2023 US Open, Isner turned his attention to his family and explored interests outside of professional tennis.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 489–317
• Career titles: 16
• Highest ranking: No. 8 (July 16, 2018)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – Fourth Round (2010, 2016)
• French Open – Fourth Round (2014, 2016, 2018)
• Wimbledon – Semifinals (2018)
• US Open – Quarterfinals (2011, 2018)

Other tournaments

• ATP Finals – Round Robin (2018)
• Olympic Games – Quarterfinals (2012)
• Davis Cup – Semifinals (2012, 2018)
• Hopman Cup – Winner (2011)

Doubles

• Career record: 150–114
• Career titles: 8
• Highest ranking: No. 14 (July 18, 2022)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – Quarterfinals (2009)
• French Open – Third Round (2008)
• Wimbledon – First Round (2023)
• US Open – Second Round (2009)