The professional tennis player, John Isner has made an announcement for his retirement following 17 years playing the sport.
Isner made the announcement of his impending retirement on Instagram on the 23rd of August, mentioning that last professional appearance will be at the US Open, that will be starting begin on the 28th of August in Queens, New York.
The post read: “There comes a time in every athlete’s career that they have to decide to hang it up, for me, that time is now,”
The one time top 10 player on the ATP Tour added by saying: “I didn’t come at this decision lightly, but I feel it is the right way to go,” he continued. “When I left the University of Georgia in 2007, there was no way I could have imagined playing 17 years on the ATP Tour. Of course, there are countless matches I wish I could have back, but I am proud of what I was able to accomplish. The journey was nothing short of incredible.”
Born in in Greensboro, North Carolina, Isner attended the University of Georgia on a tennis scholarship. Upon graduating from the university, he entered the professional tennis circuit in 2007. The 38-year-old continued in his Instagram post by saying: “One of the best decisions I ever made was attending the University of Georgia, my 4 years in Athens was absolutely amazing. To Coach Manny Diaz, thank you for always believing me and instilling a work ethic that served me so well as a pro.”
Standing tall at 6 feet 10 inches, Isner is currently ranking in the top 200 tennis players, he has recently taken a tumble from a 2018 career high of No. 8, according to the ATP Tour website, which is the international governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit.
Throughout his career, he has enjoyed great success, as he has earned almost $23 million in prize money, per his official page on the ATP Tour website. In 2010 at Wimbledon, he famously played — and won — the longest professional tennis match in history against Nicholas Mahut which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes.
The player said he considers himself lucky to have developed so many amazing relationships that have brought him where he is today. “The people that have been in my corner both professionally and personally have played a massive role in shaping me as a player, but more importantly, a person. – Isner continued in his announcement.
The father of four went on to thank his mother for driving him “all over the South in our van to play tennis tournaments” when he was a boy, and his father for “waking up every morning before the sun to provide those opportunities.”
Isner also lovingly called out his wife, jewellery designer Madison McKinley Isner, for raising their four young children who are all aged under five with a “smile on your face no matter how chaotic it is.”
Main Image: NY Post
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