Isner Jumps to 10th-Ranked Men’s Player in the World
John Isner is beginning to live up to his expectations. Isner has made it to the number 10 ranking in 2012 with wins over the top three current players in the world. He is beginning preparation for the U.S. men’s clay court championship.
”I’d like to think I’m a nightmare to play,” Isner said. ”I kind of take away their rhythm. I’m going to hit a lot of winners and I’m also going to make mistakes. I’m trying to not let those bother me. Over the course of a match, I’d like to think my style is going to win out.”
Isner took down number three-ranked Roger Federer in the first round of the Davis Cup. He also upset top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters tournament.
”A lot of guys out here playing are rhythm players,” Isner said. ”They want to get into a groove over the course of a match and that’s what I don’t want to give them.”
Isner’s top performance when playing France helped to advance the American team onto the semifinals of the Davis Cup against Spain. ”I’m a much more confident player,” Isner said. ”To be able to compete in this game you have to be confident and that’s what I have on my side right now. I know it can come and go very easily, too. But right now I’m very confident in my ability and I think I’ve proved that throughout the course of 2012.”
Isner started the year at the rank of 18 and has jumped eight spots since he defeated Federer. ”That was a great win for me and I played it the right way,” Isner said. ”That’s when I realized that’s how I have to play.
”I still think my best tennis is two or three years ahead of me. I wasn’t ready for it then but now, I want people to expect a lot of me,” Isner said. ”Once you get up to top 10 in the world, people are going to expect a lot of you. I like it, I relish it.
Isner is seeded second behind Mardy Fish and will play in his first match this Thursday.
