John Isner: Most Improved Player
A year ago, John Isner was ranked 137th and now he is at a career-high ranking of 25th. It was recently announced that Isner will receive the ATP World Tour’s Most Improved Player Award. Isner, who stands six feet nine inches, made a small splash when he joined the ATP
World Tour in 2007 after playing college tennis at the University of Georgia and reached the final of the event in Washington, DC. However, in the past year and especially in recent months, Isner has made great strides in his game and his results. In early January, Isner captured his first ATP title in Auckland and reached the round of 16 at the 2010 Australian Open. Isner also reached the round of 16 at the 2009 U.S. Open defeating fellow American, Andy Roddick, along the way.
Isner, who won the NCAA team and doubles titles (he lost in the singles final), has also captured one ATP doubles title with Mardy Fish back in 2008. Given his impressive recent performances, American Davis Cup captain, Patrick McEnroe, named Isner to the American Davis Cup team alongside, Sam Querrey, for the upcoming tie versus Serbia on clay in Belgrade. It will be a tough assignment for Isner, but a huge honor to be playing for the United States. Isner’s strong serve and forehand are most effective on hard courts, but he needs to improve his service stats. For example, Isner’s first serve percentage is 68% compared to 72% for Andy Roddick. Isner’s winning percentage on first serves is 77% compared to 83% for 6’ 10’’ Croat, Ivo Karlovic and it’s 52% on second serve points compared to 58% for Roddick. The other key will be consistency both within matches and across tournaments because that is what distinguishes the top players.
Isner, who won the NCAA team and doubles titles (he lost in the singles final), has also captured one ATP doubles title with Mardy Fish back in 2008. Given his impressive recent performances, American Davis Cup captain, Patrick McEnroe, named Isner to the American Davis Cup team alongside, Sam Querrey, for the upcoming tie versus Serbia on clay in Belgrade. It will be a tough assignment for Isner, but a huge honor to be playing for the United States. Isner’s strong serve and forehand are most effective on hard courts, but he needs to improve his service stats. For example, Isner’s first serve percentage is 68% compared to 72% for Andy Roddick. Isner’s winning percentage on first serves is 77% compared to 83% for 6’ 10’’ Croat, Ivo Karlovic and it’s 52% on second serve points compared to 58% for Roddick. The other key will be consistency both within matches and across tournaments because that is what distinguishes the top players.
|
