John Isner loves to play in Georgia, except, of course, when playing against Mardy Fish in the BB&T Atlanta Open final.

Isner came up a bit too short in 2011, losing a demanding final to Fish, 3-6, 7-6(6) 6-2 and failing to win a match point on his fearsome serve. He came a little bit short in the 2010 grueling final, losing to Fish in an even closer score 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4). In 2012, Isner faced Andy Roddick in the semi-finals. Roddick outlasted Isner  4-6, 7-6(5), 4-6 on his way to the BB&T Atlanta Open title.

 

Isner is coming back to Georgia to challenge for the BB&T Atlanta Open title at Atlantic Station in 2013 He has signed a multi-year deal to play in the tournament for years to come. With his towering stature and devastating serve, Isner is going to be a force at this year’s tournament. His biggest win of his career was a four-set victory over legendary Roger Federer on clay in his home country in the first round of the 2011 Davis Cup tie versus Switzerland.

 

Isner was an All-American for four years at the University of Georgia from 2004 to 2007. He shattered Georgia’s record books by becoming the school’s all-time leader in singles and doubles wins.

Also, he holds the record for the longest match in tennis history, when his epic victorious showdown against Nicolas Mahut lasted an astounding 11 hours and 5 minutes. In 2011, Isner reached the semifinals at the Master’s 1000 in Paris, which helped him end the year at No. 18.  

 

The native of Greensboro, N.C. captured his first tournament win at 2010 Auckland. In 2011 he won in Winston-Salem (his hometown event) and Newport. Then, last year, he repeated again in the two summer tournaments of Winston-Salem and Newport.

 

Isner's most famous win was only a first-round match at Wimbledon in 2010. But, it was just the longest match in tennis history against Nicholas Mahut of France. The endless three day battle ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. The final match time was clocked at 11 hours and 5 minutes. The previous pro match record was 6 hours and 33 minutes. The 138 games in the fifth set eclipses the longest match ever played at Wimbledon of 122 games. This match, which ended on an Isner backhand pass, went 183 games.

 

Isner is currently as the top American in the world at #16. Isner has also been chosen to compete on the American team that is headed to the 2013 Davis Cup. This will be his fourth consecutive appearance on the Davis Cup team.