NEW YORK – As he spoke during a news conference at the U.S. Open on Thursday, his final day as a professional tennis player, John Isner rested his chin on clasped hands, the words coming slowly, tears welling in his eyes.

“It’s played a significant role in my life.” It’s difficult to say good-bye. “It’s not easy,” remarked the 38-year-old American. “However, this day would arrive. It’s difficult to prepare for the feelings.”

As far as career-ending days go, it’s difficult to imagine a more fitting way for Isner to go out than with a pair of final-set tiebreakers — one in singles, one in doubles — and, while he would have preferred a victory or two, he did appreciate the raucous crowd support and standing ovations he received at each defeat.

The 6-foot-10 (2.08-meter) Isner announced a week before the start of play at Flushing Meadows that this Grand Slam tournament would be his last, and the guy who had long been his country’s best male player bowed out in the second round of the singles bracket, losing to another American wild-card entry, Michael Mmoh, at the Grandstand.

A few hours later, Isner announced his retirement by losing a doubles match with Jack Sock, another American who had stated that the US Open would be his final tournament. At Court 12, they were defeated 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (10-3) by Robert Galloway and Albano Olivetti.

“Of course, there’s a lot of disappointment with the outcome of my singles match today, but there’s also a lot of gratitude just to have one last time playing in an atmosphere like that.” It was fantastic. “That’s why, as I said on the court, I work so hard,” Isner added. “It’s difficult to explain how bad my body feels — I’m not (about) talking right now because it does, but just lately.” So, a lot goes into everything I do to prepare it for play. I wanted another US Open and was able to obtain it.”

On his final day as a professional tennis player, John Isner rested his chin on clasped hands, the words coming slowly, tears welling in his eyes.

The two opponents hugged after Isner scored on a volley after a dipping passing shot by Mmoh.

Then Isner, one point away from winning the fifth set at 5-4, slumped on his sideline chair and covered his face with a white towel.

“In that tiebreaker, you’re not thinking about the fact that it’s his final match.” Maybe before you start the match, but not in that tiebreaker and not when you’re down match point,” said Mmoh, a 25-year-old who had only won a match after dropping the first two sets once previously.

“I had a lot of positive emotions, and I was happy when I won the match.” But then I felt awful for a split second. “I genuinely did,” Mmoh remarked of his next role as Jack Draper, a 21-year-old British actor. “I genuinely felt for him when I saw him get emotional in that interview.” So that wasn’t easy. It tasted nearly bittersweet. We’re all competitors, and we’re all here for the same objective, so I’m pleased to receive the ‘W.'”

Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, 2017 U.S. Open runner-up Madison Keys, three-time major semifinals Elina Svitolina, and No. 13 seed Daria Kasatkina were among the women who advanced.

The third seed Jessica Pegula, the top-ranked American woman, took control early and beat Patricia Maria Tig 6-3, 6-1 in 72 minutes in Arthur Ashe Stadium at night after defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the third round by defeating Lloyd Harris 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4) in a match that some viewers in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities couldn’t watch on ESPN2 due to a dispute between Disney and the Charter Spectrum cable system.

“I played a great match from the beginning to the end,” Alcaraz remarked.

On his final day as a professional tennis player, John Isner rested his chin on clasped hands, the words coming slowly, tears welling in his eyes.

Daniil Medvedev defeated Christopher O’Connell 6-2, 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-2 in the day’s final match, which ended around 1 a.m.

In other news, Stan Wawrinka, the 38-year-old winner of three major titles, including the 2016 U.S. Open, advanced to the third round, while Andy Murray, the 36-year-old winner of three major titles, including the 2012 U.S. Open, was knocked out.

No. 30 seed Tomás Martn Etcheverry was defeated by Wawrinka 7-6 (6), 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-2. Murray was defeated 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 by No. 19 Grigor Dimitrov.

Isner, famed for his difficult-to-read and difficult-to-reach huge serves, slammed 48 aces against Mmoh, increasing his ATP-record career total to 14,470. His final serve clocked up at 134 mph.

Isner also holds the single-match record with 113 aces, which he achieved during his 11-hour, 5-minute triumph over Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010 that ended 70-68 in the fifth set – the longest match in tennis history.

He’ll be known for that marathon for the rest of his life. His finest Grand Slam performance came at the All England Club, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2018 before losing to Kevin Anderson in the fifth set, 26-24.

Those two lengthy final sets had a significant role in the sport’s decision to implement tiebreakers in the deciding sets at all Grand Slam tournaments.

Isner was asked to convey his emotions to the audience, who screamed his last name after losing the first-to-10 tiebreaker versus Mmoh.

“Yeah, it’s tough,” Isner admitted, sniffling.

Later, as he offered a summary of his career, he was struck by the finality of it all once more.

“I’m not going to win every match, that’s for sure.” I’m afraid I’ll lose a lot of close matches. On the court, I could get tense and choke a little. That occurs. “But I also care,” added Isner, who won 16 singles titles and peaked at No. 8 in the ATP rankings. “I definitely enjoy this sport. I want to be remembered as a fierce competitor on the court. I believe I did. But, off the court, having the respect of my teammates is the most essential thing.”

SOURCE – (AP)