Analyzing John Isner’s Place in American Tennis in the Post-Andy Roddick Era

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: April 3, 2015

commentComment        

John Isner is single-handedly keeping American men's tennis from dissipating into obscurity.

Isner upset No. 5 Kei Nishikori, 6-4, 6-3, in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open. It was his second win over a Top 10 player this week. He defeated No. 6 Milos Raonic Tuesday night. He will face No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. 

Ranked No. 24, Isner is the first American man to reach the semifinals in Miami since Mardy Fish in 2011.

Isner is the only American male ranked in the Top 40. Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a Grand Slam, the 2003 U.S. Open. The last time an American reached the finals of a Grand Slam was in 2009, when Roddick lost a five-set thriller to Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

Robby Ginepri's 2005 appearance in the semifinals of the U.S. Open remains the best Slam performance since Roddick's among active American players. How active is debatable. Ginepri is ranked No. 255 and has yet to play a match on the ATP Tour this year.

Where does Isner stand among American men in the post-Roddick era?

He's the best the U.S. has to offer. 

Isner has been ranked as high as No. 9. He's won nine titles, none of them majors or masters. He turns 30 later this month. He's had a solid career, yet he goes into every Grand Slam as a long-shot to win.

In the post-Roddick era, Isner has been the most consistent American player. However, when compared to American players from the pre-Roddick era, Isner's career is mediocre at best. 

Brad Gilbert, who reached a career-high No. 4, played among icons of American tennis, including John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. He won 20 titles and reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Yet these days Gilbert gets more accolades for what he's done as a coach and commentator.

Unlike compatriots Donald Young and Sam Querrey, who often flame out, Isner rarely stinks...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!