John Isner, ace machine watch Australian Open 2013

ark_28

Legend
John has a decent draw here, with Hewitt in Round 2, John will be looking to go deep here in IW having made the finals last year if it all comes together then he could really so something special in Califonria, but its all about the big picture now for John he knows hies career will be judged on how many Grand Slams he wins!
Also he has no points to defend in Miami next week anyway so can do some real damage on the draw there!
 

Doubles

Legend
With a potential meeting with Wawrinka in the third round, that ought to be a tough match. Even if Isner makes it past that, a match, which in my opinion could go either way, he has to play Fed in round 4. I don't see Isner coming close to winning this.
 

ark_28

Legend
With a potential meeting with Wawrinka in the third round, that ought to be a tough match. Even if Isner makes it past that, a match, which in my opinion could go either way, he has to play Fed in round 4. I don't see Isner coming close to winning this.

Stan has been playing some good ball and he raises his game against the better players! Look at how close he got to Novak at the Australian! So John would have to step it up in that match and maintain a high serve % if he can do that he has a great chance!

I agree winning this will take a phenonononal performance from John he is capable of it but it's about building up to his ultimate goal of winning a major! Let's not forget this year at IW he is the hunted not the hunter that's tough lower ranked players gunning for you! Djokovic experienced this last year as defending champions against John in the semis.
 

Doubles

Legend
Stan has been playing some good ball and he raises his game against the better players! Look at how close he got to Novak at the Australian! So John would have to step it up in that match and maintain a high serve % if he can do that he has a great chance!

I agree winning this will take a phenonononal performance from John he is capable of it but it's about building up to his ultimate goal of winning a major! Let's not forget this year at IW he is the hunted not the hunter that's tough lower ranked players gunning for you! Djokovic experienced this last year as defending champions against John in the semis.

Stan's 5 setter against Djesus alone is better than any match John's played recently. If John's goal is to win major's he should probably be able to make it out of the first round of 500's like Memphis, and dominate tournies like Delray.
 

ark_28

Legend
Stan's 5 setter against Djesus alone is better than any match John's played recently. If John's goal is to win major's he should probably be able to make it out of the first round of 500's like Memphis, and dominate tournies like Delray.

Agree that match by Stan is better than John's play this year but then again who else has come that close to beating Novak this year? Nobody!

I disagree Memphis and delray are insignificant in the grand scheme of things as I say for John now it is all about the majors look at Pete for example, he won Wimbledon 7 times yet only won queens a 250 twice.
 

Doubles

Legend
Agree that match by Stan is better than John's play this year but then again who else has come that close to beating Novak this year? Nobody!

I disagree Memphis and delray are insignificant in the grand scheme of things as I say for John now it is all about the majors look at Pete for example, he won Wimbledon 7 times yet only won queens a 250 twice.

But, Isner is nowhere near as good as Sampras. He should be giving his all to win these small titles to keep his ranking from dropping anymore, because he obviously can't beat players ranked higher than him.
 

RAFA2005RG

Banned
Agree that match by Stan is better than John's play this year but then again who else has come that close to beating Novak this year? Nobody!

I disagree Memphis and delray are insignificant in the grand scheme of things as I say for John now it is all about the majors look at Pete for example, he won Wimbledon 7 times yet only won queens a 250 twice.

But Djokovic isn't a player you expect to lose to if you are a top player. Last year Djokovic only won ONE slam. And the odds are he won't win more than the Australian Open this year too. Last year, Djokovic lost to Sam Querrey at the Paris indoors, Andy Murray at the US Open, Federer at Cincy, Murray and Del Potro at Olympics, Federer at Wimbledon, Tipsarevic at Madrid, and Nadal at Roland Garros, Rome and Monte Carlo. Top players expect to beat Djokovic, and do it regularly. If Isner wants to be a top player, and if Isner is on the way to winning a slam soon, he should be beating Djokovic.
 

ark_28

Legend
But Djokovic isn't a player you expect to lose to if you are a top player. Last year Djokovic only won ONE slam. And the odds are he won't win more than the Australian Open this year too. Last year, Djokovic lost to Sam Querrey at the Paris indoors, Andy Murray at the US Open, Federer at Cincy, Murray and Del Potro at Olympics, Federer at Wimbledon, Tipsarevic at Madrid, and Nadal at Roland Garros, Rome and Monte Carlo. Top players expect to beat Djokovic, and do it regularly. If Isner wants to be a top player, and if Isner is on the way to winning a slam soon, he should be beating Djokovic.

With the possible exception of Nadal at the French Open, Djokovic is the favourite against any player at any tournament! Thanks for playing!
 

Ellipses

Rookie
But Djokovic isn't a player you expect to lose to if you are a top player. Last year Djokovic only won ONE slam. And the odds are he won't win more than the Australian Open this year too. Last year, Djokovic lost to Sam Querrey at the Paris indoors, Andy Murray at the US Open, Federer at Cincy, Murray and Del Potro at Olympics, Federer at Wimbledon, Tipsarevic at Madrid, and Nadal at Roland Garros, Rome and Monte Carlo. Top players expect to beat Djokovic, and do it regularly. If Isner wants to be a top player, and if Isner is on the way to winning a slam soon, he should be beating Djokovic.

Except the Djokovic is THE top player - the number one player in the world. Usually you'd expect him to be beating other top players that are ranked lower, no? Obviously he's not going to go undefeated for the year just because he's number 1 but aside from Nadal on clay (his ranking took the hit due to the injury and he is of course the clay GOAT) you generally expect that the number 1 player be beating the number 2/3/4/5/etc. players.
 

ark_28

Legend
Credit to Lleyton on a well deserved win showing why he's two time champion here!

It was always going to be tough for John this week being one of the hunted and not a hunter but now he heads to Miami with no points to defend so plenty to gain
 

Doubles

Legend
Credit to Lleyton on a well deserved win showing why he's two time champion here!

It was always going to be tough for John this week being one of the hunted and not a hunter but now he heads to Miami with no points to defend so plenty to gain

Lol so you'll shut up for about a week and then come back talking about how great Isner is?
 

President

Legend
Credit to Lleyton on a well deserved win showing why he's two time champion here!

It was always going to be tough for John this week being one of the hunted and not a hunter but now he heads to Miami with no points to defend so plenty to gain

I admire your optimism :)
 

90's Clay

Banned
All these washed up Foges who stay around, I wonder why? They can still take out these supposed "top players" today who are 8-10 years younger.

Anyone says this younger generation isn't weak, How much more PROOF do you need?

Ferrer had worse showing in his 20s, then he does now beating up on these young slugs. Hewitt has NO BUSINESS after multiple surgeries, and 8 years past his prime still doing what hes doing.. But they manage because the field is so weak now
 

tennisaddict

Bionic Poster
Credit to Lleyton on a well deserved win showing why he's two time champion here!

It was always going to be tough for John this week being one of the hunted and not a hunter but now he heads to Miami with no points to defend so plenty to gain

Last week when he lost in Delray, you said it is all about IW. Now he lost ther and you talk about Miami. What is next ?

Seriously, just find a new idol.

Isner is no different than Karlovic, he maxed out his potential. Dont expect any further.

Hewitt was just pushing the ball the first 2 sets, serving was like a school boy, yet Isner could not even get a break point.
 

ark_28

Legend
Last week when he lost in Delray, you said it is all about IW. Now he lost ther and you talk about Miami. What is next ?

Seriously, just find a new idol.

Isner is no different than Karlovic, he maxed out his potential. Dont expect any further.

Hewitt was just pushing the ball the first 2 sets, serving was like a school boy, yet Isner could not even get a break point.

No! I said he headed to IW to try and defend the points and even if it didn't happen it didn't matter because he has no points to defend in miami!

And beyond these few weeks for John now the priority is the majors at this stage but if he can make a run in Miami it would be great for our sport.
 

President

Legend
No! I said he headed to IW to try and defend the points and even if it didn't happen it didn't matter because he has no points to defend in miami!

And beyond these few weeks for John now the priority is the majors at this stage but if he can make a run in Miami it would be great for our sport.

What "stage" is Isner at? It's not like he is Nadal or Federer who have 20+ Masters titles to their name that he can afford to just ignore non-major tournaments. He's made 1 masters final and all of a sudden the majors are all that matter for him? You can say the same for every top 20 player then.
 

tennisaddict

Bionic Poster
No! I said he headed to IW to try and defend the points and even if it didn't happen it didn't matter because he has no points to defend in miami!

And beyond these few weeks for John now the priority is the majors at this stage but if he can make a run in Miami it would be great for our sport.

If he plays like this, he will not be seeded any more and will start drawing the top 10 in the first rounds of major and that will push him further down the ranking. Btw, what will be his rank after IW ?
 

ark_28

Legend
If he plays like this, he will not be seeded any more and will start drawing the top 10 in the first rounds of major and that will push him further down the ranking. Btw, what will be his rank after IW ?

I agree he can and needs to play better! He will be 25 after this so that's dissapointing but he has an opportunity to gain a lot of points in Miami!
 

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
Isner and his team should be concerned with the fact that Hewitt didn't seem to even go after his serve serve and Isner still couldn't get the break. Hewitt also seemed to move Isner around the court and get errors off of simple rally balls. Like someone else said, Hewitt was just pushing the ball around and Isner couldn't make him pay for it. Isner's serve is incredible, but the rest of his game is sub-par compared to other top 100 players.
 

mariecon

Hall of Fame
If he plays like this, he will not be seeded any more and will start drawing the top 10 in the first rounds of major and that will push him further down the ranking. Btw, what will be his rank after IW ?

He just fell 8 places to #23. But he could fall even further if those below him gain points.
 

ark_28

Legend
What "stage" is Isner at? It's not like he is Nadal or Federer who have 20+ Masters titles to their name that he can afford to just ignore non-major tournaments. He's made 1 masters final and all of a sudden the majors are all that matter for him? You can say the same for every top 20 player then.

Of course winning a masters would be nice but ultimately a career is not defined on how many masters you win much as they are big tournaments, Del Potro has never won a masters and is a US open champion and even further back Kafelnikov was a world number 1 and double grand slam champion who never won a masters.

That is what I mean John knows that his career at that point will be judged on the majors so peaking their is his priority anything else you can take it or leave it.
 

vladap

Professional
you know something like this is bound to happen as soon as Miss Navratilova shared her thoughts about certain future events
 

Doubles

Legend
Of course winning a masters would be nice but ultimately a career is not defined on how many masters you win much as they are big tournaments, Del Potro has never won a masters and is a US open champion and even further back Kafelnikov was a world number 1 and double grand slam champion who never won a masters.

That is what I mean John knows that his career at that point will be judged on the majors so peaking their is his priority anything else you can take it or leave it.
If he wants to win a major, he should easily be able to dismiss Hewitt.
 

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
I doubt Isner himself is thinking he has a chance to win grand slams. If him and his team are setting realistic goals winning a slam isn't one of them. Also, you are bringing up exception to the rule. Typically the players winning the big tour events are winning the slams as well. Del Po had a magical run and won a slam, but that doesn't typically happen.
 

ark_28

Legend
If he wants to win a major, he should easily be able to dismiss Hewitt.

Agree it was a poor loss but you make it sound like Hewitt is a journeyman! He's a former world number 1 who has won this title twice! He deserves some respect!
 

ark_28

Legend
I doubt Isner himself is thinking he has a chance to win grand slams. If him and his team are setting realistic goals winning a slam isn't one of them. Also, you are bringing up exception to the rule. Typically the players winning the big tour events are winning the slams as well. Del Po had a magical run and won a slam, but that doesn't typically happen.

Actually John is backing himself to win a slam he has identified Wimbledon has his best chance!

http://edition.cnn.com/video/?/video/sports/2013/02/21/open-court-john-isner-grand-slam.cnn
 

Doubles

Legend
Agree it was a poor loss but you make it sound like Hewitt is a journeyman! He's a former world number 1 who has won this title twice! He deserves some respect!

He's 32, has had multiple surgeries, and hasn't made it out of the second round of any tournament until today. He's not playing like he used to.
 

Ellipses

Rookie
Agree it was a poor loss but you make it sound like Hewitt is a journeyman! He's a former world number 1 who has won this title twice! He deserves some respect!

Respect? Come on, man. You didn't exactly give him much respect before Isner lost to him:

John has a decent draw here, with Hewitt in Round 2, John will be looking to go deep here in IW having made the finals last year if it all comes together then he could really so something special in Califonria, but its all about the big picture now for John he knows hies career will be judged on how many Grand Slams he wins!
Also he has no points to defend in Miami next week anyway so can do some real damage on the draw there!
 

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
The only way Isner wins wimbledon is if he leaves Indian Wells tonight and there happens to be a huge earthquake there.

So many things would need to fall in place for Isner to win a slam that is basically statistical impossible. I like John's personality and think he seems like a really nice guy, but I think he might have a better chance winning a NBA championship than he does hoisting a Grand Slam trophy. He definetly has the height to post up and do some damage beneath the rim and the Lakers need some help.
 

Cfidave

Professional
It is going to take more then a big serve and a big midcourt forehand to win a Slam. The Slam contenders can do it all, and have many weapons and no real weaknesses. Isner is simply not in that catagory.
 

ark_28

Legend
Respect? Come on, man. You didn't exactly give him much respect before Isner lost to him:

I said it was a match he should have won and that is correct! But Hewitt is a 2 time winner here former world number 1 and a great player! So it's not like John went out to a journeymen!

The fact of the matter is this week John was the hunted not the hunter guys were always going to want to try and up their games against someone in this position Novak found it last year, when he lost in the Semis to John!
 

Doubles

Legend
But Hewitt's 32 and injury ridden. This is the first time he's made it past the second round of a tournament this year. This was a terrible loss for Isner and should prove to you that he doesn't have what it takes to win a slam.
 

ark_28

Legend
But Hewitt's 32 and injury ridden. This is the first time he's made it past the second round of a tournament this year. This was a terrible loss for Isner and should prove to you that he doesn't have what it takes to win a slam.

Age doesn't really matter Federer won Wimbledon last year at 31 Hewitt was a two time former champion so even though John was a huge favourite you can't take Hewitt lightly! Anyway John beat Novak at IW last year look at his resume!

Great draw for John in Miami potential matchup with Tsonga in round 4 that's a very good draw for the big man in Florida!
 

Doubles

Legend
Age doesn't really matter Federer won Wimbledon last year at 31 Hewitt was a two time former champion so even though John was a huge favourite you can't take Hewitt lightly! Anyway John beat Novak at IW last year look at his resume!

Great draw for John in Miami potential matchup with Tsonga in round 4 that's a very good draw for the big man in Florida!

Federer hasn't had multiple surgeries and had to take time off, has he? And given Isner's terrible performance at Indian Wells, assuming that he'll the fourth round is some wishful thinking.
 

ark_28

Legend
Federer hasn't had multiple surgeries and had to take time off, has he? And given Isner's terrible performance at Indian Wells, assuming that he'll the fourth round is some wishful thinking.

As have already mentioned it's a gradual process the comeback for John sure it was a bad loss in IW although Hewitt isn't getting the credit he deserves from you as a two time former champion!

He has a great record v Tsonga! So if Tsonga makes it to round 4 and if John is motivated this week then it's a very good draw.

You completely forget his record v guys like Tsonga plus last year John beat Djokovic at Indian Wells look at his resume!
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Federer hasn't had multiple surgeries and had to take time off, has he? And given Isner's terrible performance at Indian Wells, assuming that he'll the fourth round is some wishful thinking.

Don't feed the troll. I think he started out halfway serious, and then realized this is just an easy way to be known as "that Isner guy" and get attention.
 

ark_28

Legend
Don't feed the troll. I think he started out halfway serious, and then realized this is just an easy way to be known as "that Isner guy" and get attention.

I was serious then and am serious now! Congrats to your man on a great comeback by the way! He's a true champion amazing effort!

Back to John I truly beleive he can do sone damage in Miami! It's a favourable draw and I expect a gradual improvement since the comeback so he will play better ths IW I have no doubt.
 

Doubles

Legend
I was serious then and am serious now! Congrats to your man on a great comeback by the way! He's a true champion amazing effort!

Back to John I truly beleive he can do sone damage in Miami! It's a favourable draw and I expect a gradual improvement since the comeback so he will play better ths IW I have no doubt.

He'll have to play Cilic first, who's in better form that Isner.
 

President

Legend
ark, when did you first become a fan of John? Was it after the epic 2010 match or sometime before that? Just curious
 
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Wouldn't mind seeing Isner win the U.S. open at some stage :) Good old fashioned American attacking tennis badly needs a revival..... They're shooting themselves in the foot with regard to slowing down the American hardcourts year after year...... You've got to ask yourself do the organisers actually want an American to win it..... Theyve got Isner , Querrey , Raonic ( Canadian i know but still close enough ) and Harrison all with terrific serves, yet they slow down their own courts...... #Facepalmworthy
 

ark_28

Legend
ark, when did you first become a fan of John? Was it after the epic 2010 match or sometime before that? Just curious

I have supported John since I first saw him play on Tv which was at Legg Mason fresh out of college he beat Henman in a final set tiebreak and went on to beat Haas and Monfils before losing to Roddick in the final!

That year 2007 John also made the 3rd round of the US Open losing in 4 sets to Federer on debut, I loved his attitude his no nonsense style and his attacking game! So I have been a fan from then :)
 

ark_28

Legend
Wouldn't mind seeing Isner win the U.S. open at some stage :) Good old fashioned American attacking tennis badly needs a revival..... They're shooting themselves in the foot with regard to slowing down the American hardcourts year after year...... You've got to ask yourself do the organisers actually want an American to win it..... Theyve got Isner , Querrey , Raonic ( Canadian i know but still close enough ) and Harrison all with terrific serves, yet they slow down their own courts...... #Facepalmworthy

Very good call! I really do not understand the logic in the slow decks they are churning out! Sure we have some great players at the top of the game but the USTA needs to prepare some ultra fast court to be fair up until last year the US Open still played at a fairly quick speed relatively speaking!

I would like to them prepare lightning fast courts where rallies of even 3 shots are virtually impossible for even the best defenders in the world, John in those conditions will be lethal!

The USTA have a great opportunity to prepare such a surface for the Davis Cup quarter finals after the Miami tournament v Serbia.
 
I'm all for that ultra fast court you mentioned :) by all means let the grinders duke it out on clay in endless rallies but let us true tennis fans see some of the other extreme as well! The purpose of soccer is to score goals, the purpose of snooker is to pot balls etc. Similarly, the true purpose of tennis is to hit winners and take the game to your opponent, not to get every shot back in the hope that your opponent will get frustrated and miss. Let the players who can rally well be rewarded with titles on clay but it is only fair to the population of tennis players as a whole to have some important tournaments on a court surface that rewards good serving, aggressive shot making and sublime touch at the net :-D More power to John and co. I say :)
 

ark_28

Legend
I'm all for that ultra fast court you mentioned :) by all means let the grinders duke it out on clay in endless rallies but let us true tennis fans see some of the other extreme as well! The purpose of soccer is to score goals, the purpose of snooker is to pot balls etc. Similarly, the true purpose of tennis is to hit winners and take the game to your opponent, not to get every shot back in the hope that your opponent will get frustrated and miss. Let the players who can rally well be rewarded with titles on clay but it is only fair to the population of tennis players as a whole to have some important tournaments on a court surface that rewards good serving, aggressive shot making and sublime touch at the net :-D More power to John and co. I say :)

Great post so refreshing to see a fan embrace big man tennis and players tryimg to win the point outright and points with very fee rallies! Not just knocking the ball in play waiting for the other guy to miss!
 

Doubles

Legend
Great post so refreshing to see a fan embrace big man tennis and players tryimg to win the point outright and points with very fee rallies! Not just knocking the ball in play waiting for the other guy to miss!

If you watch John play, you'll find that he's typically the one to miss first.
 

ark_28

Legend
If you watch John play, you'll find that he's typically the one to miss first.

That is the whole point of big man tennis and playing attacking you take control and a lot of the time when you are hot you will strike first and sometimes you will miss first.

John has said that with his serve he now knows that every match he plays is in his control he believes this is true even when he plays Federer.
 
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