Out of retirement, into the top 100? Isner hints at ambitious tennis comeback

Former American player John Isner believes that he still has what it takes to find a spot in the top 100 players in men’s tennis. The 39-year-old retired from the sport after participating in the US Open in 2023. His career lasted for 15 years.

Isner has been recently quoted in a report by The Tennis Gazette where he expressed confidence that he can still be a part of the top 100 players in men’s tennis if he decides to come out of retirement. The North Carolina-born, however, conceded that his fitness remains a major concern.

“I think I could be top 100 in the world if I re-entered the rankings,” he said. “I might get a wildcard to a couple of challengers and try and build from there. There is some stuff with my body I would have to figure out, and do some due diligence into why my foot always bothers me. I think if I figured that out I could be top 100 in the world, I would back myself.”

Isner was famous for his high-quality serve during his playing days. He finished his career with a win percentage of over 60 percent. Overall, Isner ended up winning 16 titles in his career, including just one ATP 1000 title which was the Miami Open in 2018 where he got the better of Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the final 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 6–4. His performances has not been great in the Grand Slams. Despite participating in the main round of a major event 55 times, Isner only managed to play in the quarterfinal or beyond on three occasions. His best outing in a Grand Slam came at Wimbledon in 2018 where he lost to South Africa’s Kevin Anderson in a five-set thriller with a score of 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 26-24.