John Isner loses in five sets to fellow American Michael Mmoh at the US Open, bringing an emotional end to his singles career
- John Isner lost the final set in a stunning 10-7 tiebreaker to Michael Mmoh
- The 38-year-old is still in the U.S. Open’s doubles competition this afternoon
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
John Isner’s career in tennis is over after his defeat in the US Open second round to fellow American Michael Mmoh.
Isner lost in five sets, 6-3 6-4 6-7 (7-3) 4-6 6-7 (10-7), and was in tears as his match ended in defeat. The American struggled to find words as fans inside Grandstand cheered him.
‘This is why I worked as hard as I have my whole life – to play in atmospheres like this. To play in front of this crowd, it is pretty special. Thank you,’ a tearful Isner said.
Isner, 38, announced before the tournament, on August 23, that he would retire after the tournament in Flushing Meadows.
He is still involved in the doubles at the tournament in New York but this defeat spells the end of his time in singles competition.
John Isner was given wide applause by the Grandstand crowd after his singles career ended
The 38-year-old was crestfallen following his five set defeat on Day Four of the U.S. Open
Michael Mmoh came from two sets down to continue his shock run at Flushing Meadows
Amazingly, Isner must regain his composure ahead of his doubles match with Jack Sock vs. fellow American Robert Galloway and Frenchman Albano Olivetti.
Isner added 48 more aces to his record tally, starting strongly to win the first two sets before the physical nature of the contest took its toll on the towering 38-year-old.
Mmoh, 25, grew in confidence after winning the third set tiebreak and rode an early break in the fourth set to force a decider.
Isner had match point at 5-4 in the fifth but Mmoh was able to serve his way out of trouble and levelled with a drop shot.
Fittingly for Isner, who was involved in the longest professional match ever, his final set came down to a tiebreak and a stick volley at the net gave him a 4-2 lead that brought the crowd to their feet.
Mmoh refused to back down, however, completing the comeback when Isner’s shoestring volley landed in the net.
Isner turned pro in 2007 and reached a career high of world number eight. He won 16 singles titles, the biggest being the Miami Open crown in 2018, his most successful season.
He won the longest professional tennis match in history against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010, which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes and took place over three days.
The All-England Club was also the site of his best result at a Grand Slam tournament, reaching the semi-finals in 2018. He twice made the U.S. Open quarters, in 2011 and 2018.
