John Isner has often expressed admiration for Roger Federer, whom he has played against ten times, winning twice. To Isner, Federer is “the GOAT,” and facing him has always been “the coolest” experience, somewhat different from other opponents. However, buried in their match history, particularly their Davis Cup encounters, lies a tale of adaptability and a touch of mischief during their 2012 showdown in Federer’s home country, Switzerland.
Reflecting on his matches with Federer, Isner once said, “…when you see your name on the schedule, you know you are going to be on the big court, which will be absolutely packed.” Yet, their Davis Cup match in Fribourg, Switzerland, was far from the expected grandeur, featuring a poorly maintained indoor court and freezing conditions. This unexpected experience added a unique layer to their rivalry.
During the September 14th episode of the podcast “Nothing Major,” Isner discussed his most memorable Davis Cup moments. He delved into his thrilling win over Federer, triumphing 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2. The 39-year-old recounted the difficult conditions of that match, including the problematic court filled with “potholes.” Surprisingly, Isner felt that the worse the court conditions, the better his chances. In contrast, Federer struggled, leading Isner to say, “And Roger was hating it.”
Isner admitted that he had a difficult start in the match, but a significant turning point came when a ball took an unexpected bounce on the flawed court, abruptly veering at a 90-degree angle. Federer missed the forehand as a result of this odd bounce. Isner recounted, “I break-won the set, end up winning the match. But the court was horrible, but that was a fun experience in Switzerland, indoors, in 2012.” This victory gave the United States a 2-0 lead over Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup.
For Isner, then 26 years old, defeating the 16-time Grand Slam champion was the highlight of his career. While he managed to defeat Federer again in 2015 at the Paris Masters, the 2012 victory stood out so much that Federer himself praised Isner’s performance afterward.
Following the 2012 match, Federer reflected on his defeat. Before Isner’s upset, Mardy Fish had already put America in a strong position by winning his match. Federer’s loss made it an unexpectedly tough day for the Swiss team. Nonetheless, Federer maintained a positive attitude, stating, “We still have a chance to go through. I’m going to enjoy the challenge.”
However, Federer was candid about his loss to Isner, admitting, “I thought he played great. He played it tough and served great when he had to. I just missed a couple more opportunities than he did, and that’s what cost me the match.” This defeat marked Federer’s first singles loss in the Davis Cup in eight years, ending a 15-match winning streak in the tournament. The match lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes, and Federer called it a “tough loss.”
For Isner, however, the victory remained a defining moment in his tennis career, showcasing his ability to adapt and excel even in less-than-ideal conditions. His win on that “bad” court, against the Swiss legend in his own country, became an unforgettable chapter in his professional journey.
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