“This is more improbable than what she did”: John Isner controversially says Vacherot tops Emma Raducanu's US Open win

Former American tennis player John Isner believes Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz’s run at the US Open 2025 was more impressive than the title-winning campaign of Britain’s Emma Raducanu. The 22-year-old recently lifted the US Open for the second time in his career.

He defeated the then world number one and defending champion, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, in the final with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. During the whole competition, Alcaraz dropped just one set, which was in the final against his fiercest rival.

He defeated America’s Reilly Opelka in the first, Italy’s Mattia Bellucci in the second, Italy’s Luciano Darderi in the third, France’s Arthur Rinderknech in the fourth, the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka in the quarter and the former world number one, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, in the semifinal, all in straight sets.

On the other hand, Raducanu’s only US Open title came way back in 2021, where she defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Raducanu’s triumph was special for so many reasons. She became the first player in the history of tennis in the Open era to win a Grand Slam despite starting it from the qualifying round.

Not only that, but Raducanu did not drop a single set in the whole competition, winning all seven matches in straight sets. She defeated Switzerland’s Stefanie Vogele in the first, China’s Zhang Shuai in the second, Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in the third, America’s Shelby Rogers in the fourth, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in the quarter, and Greece’s Maria Sakkari in the semifinals.

Former American player Isner recently featured on the latest episode of the Nothing Major Podcast, where he was asked whether it would be right to compare the two runs, and, if so, which one, according to him, is better. In response to that, Isner stated that, in his opinion, both runs are ‘absolutely’ comparable, and he believes that Alcaraz’s run was more impressive. Isner also admitted that while Alcaraz’s run was more impressive, Raducanu’s triumph at the US Open was a ‘bigger story’.

“I mean, they're two comparable,” said Isner. “Absolutely [you] can compare it. I think it’s [Alcaraz’s run at the US Open] more Impressive. Yes, but Raducanu [winning the US Open], it's a bigger story because it's the US Open and she didn't drop a set. I think this is more improbable than what she did. But also obviously it being the US Open makes it a bigger story, even though this story is really big in the tennis world, but Yeah, I'm giving it to [Alcaraz].

Raducanu has recently decided to end her 2025 season to focus on her health issues. According to the latest report from the English media outlet Daily Express, Raducanu has decided not to take part in any further events this year and has withdrawn from the tournaments in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Overall, Raducanu featured in 49 matches in 2025, winning 28 and losing 21. As things stand, she is ranked 29th in the world. Her best outing this year came while playing at the Cincinnati Open, where she was knocked out after losing in the semifinal to Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3.

On the other hand, Alcaraz is going through a great season. Overall, Alcaraz lifted eight titles in 2025, including two Grand Slam titles. While doing so, Alcaraz became the youngest player in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era to win six major titles before turning 23. Most recently, he won the Japan Open in Tokyo after beating America’s Taylor Fritz in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4.