"Can't we honor a thoroughly professional 17 year veteran": Journalist believes Isner deserves acclaim instead of criticism from some over political views
American tennis star John Isner saw his professional career come to an end at the 2023 US Open, losing out to compatriot Michael Mmoh in a thrilling five-set second round encounter.
Isner, known for his towering height, huge serve and participation in the longest match in tennis history (against Nicholas Mahut at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships), revealed his retirement plans last week, stating the 2023 US Open would be the last tournament of his career.
Tennis fans divided over Isner's farewell due to his political views
Following his loss and subsequent retirement, several fans jumped in to criticize the Greensboro native, bashing him for his political views. Isner has been a strong supporter of former US President Donald Trump, and fans were quick to bring that to attention.
"When MAGA players retire, American tennis wins," wrote one fan.
However, tennis journalist Jon Wertheim was quick to support the American, asking fans to show some compassion on the day of Isner's retirement.
"I’ll bite on this….can’t we honor a thoroughly professional, 17-year veteran on his retirement, even if his political views aren’t in completely alignment with yours?" Wertheim wrote on Twitter.
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
Today, we honor not just the end of a career, but the beginning of a legacy that will live on. 🙌
Thank you @JohnIsner for the unforgettable moments and your contribution to the sport. May your retirement be as epic as your matches! 😅
@jon_wertheim | #USOpen