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Courier: Overscheduled Isner will learn


 

Originally published on: 05/09/12 00:00

An exhausted Isner lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round of the US Open this week. It was his fourth successive five-set loss in Grand Slam tournaments this year following defeats to Feliciano Lopez (Australian Open), Paul-Henri Mathieu (French Open) and Wimbledon (Alejandro Falla). All four players were ranked lower than the 6ft 9in American.

Isner has played in 26 tournaments since the start of the year and has had a particularly busy summer. Since Wimbledon he has played at Newport, Atlanta, the Olympics, Toronto and Winston-Salem. He reached the quarter-finals or better of all five events – during the course of which he played 21 matches – and won the titles in Newport and Winston-Salem. “He's overscheduled himself and he'll learn from that,” said Courier, who spoke to him after his defeat to Kohlschreiber. “I think he was disappointed in how tired he was.”

Courier said, however, that Isner was “fired up about Davis Cup”. He added: “When John's fresh and focused, he’s beaten some substantial players this year.  He's going to have to be fresh and focused to stand a chance against [David] Ferrer and [Nicolas] Almagro.”

Isner’s early exit at Flushing Meadows could also benefit his country when they face Spain. “Good news for the US Davis Cup is bad news for John’s US Open,” Courier said.  “John losing in the US Open benefits his performance in Spain because he will get more rest and he needed it.  He's been incredible in Davis Cup this year.  He's incredibly excited about Gijon, and he'll get some rest for it now.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.