John Isner Reflects on His Career-Defining Moment Against Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells
When discussing some of the most charismatic figures in tennis over the past two decades, John Isner’s name inevitably comes up. Widely recognized as one of the greatest servers in the history of the sport, the American left a lasting mark on the ATP Tour, especially in his home country. Out of his 16 ATP singles titles, 14 were won on American soil, showcasing his dominance at home. However, Isner’s legacy extends far beyond his trophy collection—he made history as the ATP Tour’s all-time ace leader, reaching an incredible 14,470 aces by August 31, 2023.
With the Indian Wells men’s semifinal fast approaching, the now-retired star took a moment to look back at one of the most significant achievements of his career. “Not many people can say they’ve beaten the No. 1 player in the world,” he proudly remarked, revisiting a milestone moment that occurred 13 years ago.
Isner’s Breakthrough Victory Over Djokovic at Indian Wells 2012
The story dates back to the 2012 Indian Wells Open, where John Isner—then seeded 12th—achieved a career-defining victory. Earlier that year, he had battled through a five-set marathon against David Nalbandian at the Australian Open before losing in the third round to Feliciano López. However, he had already made headlines by defeating Roger Federer in the Davis Cup, helping lead Team USA to a crucial victory.
But his true breakout moment came in the California desert. Isner put together an extraordinary run, reaching his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 final. Along the way, he stunned the world by defeating the top-ranked player and defending champion, Novak Djokovic, in a thrilling match. This victory was particularly historic, as it marked the first time an American male had defeated the world No. 1 at a Masters 1000 event since James Blake’s upset over Roger Federer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Isner Remembers the Electric Atmosphere and His Motivations
During a recent conversation on The Nothing Major Show on March 15, Isner reflected on that unforgettable match. He recalled how the crowd’s energy fueled his confidence.
“The crowd was on my side. I mean, he was number one in the world,” Isner said. “If I won that match, I was going to break into the top 10. I don’t think the crowd knew that, but I knew it, and that gave me a lot of motivation to go out there and play well.”
Isner emphasized how much confidence he had going into the match. “I had already reached the doubles final with Sam [Querrey], and I was playing in the singles semifinal. I couldn’t have been more confident,” he shared. “The conditions were perfect that day, and I managed to win 7-6 in the third set. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I’m in the final, and I’ll be playing the winner of Rafa [Nadal] and Fed [Federer].’”
The Bittersweet End to Isner’s Indian Wells Run
While Isner’s semifinal victory over Djokovic was a career highlight, his magical run at Indian Wells ended in disappointment. In the final, he faced Roger Federer, who avenged his earlier Davis Cup loss with a straight-sets victory, 7-6(7), 6-3, to claim the title. To make matters worse, Isner and his doubles partner, Sam Querrey, also fell short in the doubles final against Rafael Nadal and Marc López.
Still, despite the tough ending, the tournament was a defining moment in Isner’s career, cementing his status as a top-tier player and propelling him into the ATP Top 10 rankings.
Isner Weighs in on Djokovic’s Recent Struggles
Even after retiring, Isner continues to keep a close eye on the tennis world, particularly his former rival Novak Djokovic. Recently, he shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s current form and his potential participation in the upcoming Miami Open.
Djokovic has been struggling with form, suffering three consecutive ATP Tour losses since the Australian Open. His most recent defeat came at Indian Wells, where he lost to lucky loser Botic Van de Zandschulp in a surprising 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 upset—mirroring his early exit at the same tournament the previous year.
Addressing Djokovic’s recent dip in performance, Isner suggested that age might be catching up to him. “Two straight years he has lost to a lucky loser at Indian Wells. We’re just not used to seeing that,” Isner commented on the podcast. “He seems to be lacking a bit of motivation. Father Time might finally be catching up to him.”
Should Djokovic Skip Miami to Refocus?
With the Miami Open on the horizon, it remains uncertain whether Djokovic will compete. The Serbian star, a six-time champion at the event, has not played in Miami since 2019. Isner believes that skipping the tournament might actually be a smart decision for Djokovic.
“If he doesn’t play Miami, it might be a good time for him to refocus,” Isner suggested. “He could go back to Europe, spend time with his family, and likely start his clay-court season in Monte Carlo. He usually plays Madrid, he always plays Rome, and then he can get ready for the French Open. I think he’ll be fine.”
Despite their past rivalry, Isner’s comments appear to come from a place of respect and genuine concern for Djokovic’s career. Now that Djokovic has officially confirmed his participation in the Miami Open, the big question remains: Can he bounce back and secure his 100th career title at the Sunshine Double?