John Isner leaves top-30 for the first time since August 2011

Two years ago, the defending champion John Isner fought in another Miami final, losing it to Roger Federer in straight sets to step away from the throne.

The American veteran couldn't keep that level, finishing the 2019 season inside the top-20 but losing steam during the pandemic last year. John played only 20 matches in 2020, winning ten of those and reaching two smaller semi-finals to find himself outside the top-20. Not willing to travel and play much in the current season, John competed at only two events before the Miami Open, suffering early losses and barely staying in the top-30.

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Competing at the home Masters 1000 event, Isner wasted a match point in a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 loss to Roberto Bautista Agut in two hours and 18 minutes in the fourth round, losing the points from 2019 and dropping out from the top-30 for the first time since August 2011!

Struggling to find the form earlier that season, John played on a high level at home in Newport, Atlanta and Washington to return into the top-30. The American started a respectable streak that lasted for over nine and a half years, standing fourth among the active players after Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic! Almost a decade later, Isner will leave the exclusive group next Monday, hoping to return as soon as possible after not having much to defend in the rest of the year.