He was world No. 8, defeated Djokovic in his prime, and holds a Wimbledon record that not even Federer could achieve

Over the years, several players have managed to defeat tennis great Novak Djokovic, but only a few did so during his prime. One of them was American powerhouse John Isner, who not only beat Djokovic at the peak of his career but also set a historic Wimbledon record that even Roger Federer couldn’t match.

Isner wasn’t just another name on the ATP Tour. He carried the torch for American tennis after the era of legends like Andre Agassi. Since turning pro in 2007, Isner racked up 16 career titles, including one Masters 1000 trophy. While a Grand Slam title eluded him, his impact on the game was undeniable.

Despite not having a trophy cabinet full of major titles, Isner carved his name into the sport’s history books with two unforgettable records. One of his most talked-about moments came when he stunned Djokovic in 2012, shortly after the Serbian star had claimed his third Australian Open title.

When Isner took down Djokovic

The upset took place at the 2012 ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells. Isner and Djokovic met in the semifinals, with Djokovic dominating the tour that season. But Isner was determined to make his mark, chasing his first Masters 1000 crown, and he came incredibly close.

Isner pulled off a stunning victory in three sets: 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-6(5), earning a spot in the final. He would go on to face Roger Federer for the title but fell in straight sets. Overall, Isner’s head-to-head record against Djokovic was 2–10, with his second victory coming at the 2013 Cincinnati Open quarterfinals: 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5.

The day Isner set a Wimbledon record Federer never could

Isner’s career reached legendary status in 2010 when he played in the longest match in tennis history. It happened in the first round of Wimbledon against Nicolas Mahut, in a contest that shocked the world, and spanned three days.

While Federer remains the most decorated Wimbledon champion with eight titles, he never touched the record Isner set. Their historic match began on June 22, 2010, and ended on June 24. The fifth set alone lasted a jaw-dropping 8 hours and 11 minutes. But how did it reach that point?

The match initially progressed at a steady pace. After four sets, fading daylight forced officials to suspend play. The next day, the players resumed, only for the fifth set to stretch into marathon territory. With the score tied 59–59 and daylight gone once more, they returned for a third day, where Isner finally triumphed 70–68.

Another Wimbledon record that belongs to Isner

In addition to playing the longest match in tennis history, Isner holds another remarkable Wimbledon record, one even Federer never claimed. He owns the most aces in the tournament’s history with 214, and despite his dominance on grass, Isner never won the title. His deepest run came in 2018, when he reached the semifinals.