By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, August 27, 2026
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Front row fans veered left and right like rollercoaster riders going off the rails during John Isner’s US Open matches.
Dodging and dipping the 140 mph rockets Isner launched off the back blue walls was part of a unique experience connecting athlete and audience when the all-time ATP ace leader was pounding his way into a pair of US Open quarterfinals.
Isner delivered devastation from the line then.
These days, Isner is serving up connectivity at the US Open.
Isner and ESPN colleague Genie Bouchard reunite for a new social media spot promoting AT&T’s new, five-year partnership naming AT&T the Official Connectivity Partner of the US Open.
The ad comes a decade after Isner and Serena Williams dueled Bouchard and Vasek Pospisil at Hopman Cup.
Here’s an excerpt from AT&T’s press release on its new US Open partnership and what the brand aspires to achieve in Flushing Meadows:
- AT&T’s distributed antenna system (DAS) is the neutral-host network carrying wireless traffic across Arthur Ashe Stadium and the grounds, keeping tens of thousands of on-site fans connected to every match, at any given time.
- AT&T is powering the technology that keeps the US Open running, providing the connectivity behind ticket scanners, hotspots, and backup phones on-site.
- AT&T is working closely with the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to enhance the network as the facility evolves, with the next phase of upgrades targeted ahead of the 2027 tournament.
- AT&T will have a hospitality space on-site at the US Open for the first time, hosting customers and fans courtside.
- In 2027, AT&T will become the title partner of one of Arthur Ashe Stadium’s new signature suite levels, as new fan spaces roll out as part of the facility’s multi-year reimagination.
We caught up with Isner, who famously out-dueled Nicolas Mahut in in the longest tennis match in history—an 11 hour, 5-minute epic at the 2010 Wimbledon played over three days in which Isner continuously did his trademark ball bounce between the legs before serving and chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani did not take a single bathroom break—on a Zoom call this morning.
The former all-American at Georgia discusses facing Roger Federer at the US Open, the toughest Big 3 opponent to play, why Gael Monfils holds a unique place in tennis history, his forecast for Americans at the US Open and three essential keys to unlock a good serve for any player at any level.
Tennis Now: John, first what interested you in this AT&T partnership and what should excite fans? Because reading the press release AT&T is the network for fans using their phones, for ticket scanners, for scores. So they’re a major US Open player for at least the next five years.
John Isner: Exactly. Obviously, you’re coming to the US Open and AT&T is the official connectivity partner of the US Open so they’re instrumental in anything regarding the ticketing, the scoring, the updating. AT&T has you covered there.
It’s a great partnership. Everyone knows AT&T and everyone knows the US Open is the pre-eminent event in New York City in August and September so to have them partner in this brand-new partnership, I think is huge.
I think it’s great for AT&T, for the US Open and most importantly I think it’s great for the fans. Because these Grand Slams are such big spectacles and it’s all about the fans and giving the fans a great experience and AT&T is a big part of that.
Tennis Now: The AT&T ad with you and Genie is cool. What was it like creating it? Did you know the concept? Also, in the Instagram post a guy commented on the fact you faced Genie and Vasek Pospisil in Hopman Cup partnering Serena. So you actually did serve against her and she crowded the line first game. Did doing this spot inspire any flashbacks? Or do you not recall that match?
John Isner: I can’t say I remember that match. The Hopman Cup mixed doubles was always fun for me because women had trouble returning my serve.
I remember one year in the finals we were playing against Justine Henin, a very talented tennis player, but she’s a bit smaller in stature. So she was on the deuce side. If I served 15 points to her on the deuce side throughout the course of the match I must have aced her 13 times.
But you’re playing for a lot in those matches. I was just happy to be a part of that with Serena.
It was cool to be a part of this spot. We did it on a Saturday morning. I live in Dallas so I literally drove 10 minutes to downtown to film this downtown on a Saturday morning, no traffic, no rush hour, no nothing. Boom, in and out.
How amazing is it to be a part of that. I actually didn’t know, when we finished doing my part, I didn’t know who it was returning my serve on the other side until I saw the finished commercial.
So it was really cool that Genie did that. Obviously, I’m the big tall guy with the big serve then you’ve got a pretty face in Genie returning the serve. So I think AT&T did a great job with the ad, and I think fans are liking it.
Tennis Now: Roger Federer gets inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday. You were inducted into the ITA Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in May.
You played Roger twice at the US Open, he won both times and you beat him on his home soil in Davis Cup. What’s it like facing Roger Federer on the biggest stage in the tennis world? What’s it like serving to Roger? What’s it like facing Roger’s serve, as he’s third all-time on the ATP ace list behind you and Dr. Ivo.
John Isner: One of those Hall of Fames is not like the other. The college Hall of Fame is pretty cool and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
But the International Tennis Hall of Fame is of course like the mecca. That’s going to be an unbelievable spectacle to see Roger go in, to see his speech and I think as of right now, no one even knows who is introducing him. I haven’t heard.
So that will be cool. They sold out tickets so fast.
Playing Roger, I was lucky enough to probably play him more than 10 times off the top of my head. I played him twice in New York. I think my first US Open, fresh out of college, two or three months prior I’m playing college tennis now I’m playing Roger Federer in the US Open third round on national TV, on CBS.
It was a big afternoon match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Of course I didn’t beat him.
But 2007 Roger Federer, if you go back and at look at his numbers, might be the greatest ever [season] that anyone has ever seen. He won eight titles, of course he ended up winning the US Open and three of the four majors.
To play Roger Federer, the moment, was always the biggest. Now playing Novak Djokovic at his highest level probably is the best. Playing Rafa on clay is the toughest ask in tennis.
But playing Roger, the moment is the biggest. Because you’re going to be on stadium court, of course it’s going to be sold out and remember you’re not just playing him—you’re playing the aura of Roger Federer,
When you play Roger Federer on Arthur Ashe Stadium and they introduce him, the hair stands up on your arms as they introduce him. So it’s really, really cool. The moment was always huge facing Roger.
Tennis Now: You played a memorable match against Monfils at the Open where it’s your aggression and point-ending power versus his super hero elasticity and athleticism. What do you recall about playing Monfils and did he ever do anything so astounding or so freakily athletic against you that really stands out?
John Isner: I would say Monfils is the greatest pure athlete our sport has ever seen and we’ve seen some great ones.
Some of the gets and things he does on court are absolutely ridiculous. We may never see another player do the things that Monfils does. He can slide out on one side of the court, recover and still get back to the other side of the court—and he’s still doing it at 38 years old.
Hopefully Gael and Stan Wawrinka both get great send-offs at the Open—it will be great to see.
Yes, I played Monfils a bunch of times [13 times, Monfils holds 7-6 lead]. Monfils is probably one of the guys I played the most on Tour. Yes, I played him in New York in a night match, which was a lot of fun. I remember that match. I got up on him early and he came back with some ridiculous shots getting the crowd really into it. That was an unbelievable match [Isner won 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4) at the 2013 US Open.]
I played him once in Toronto. I was having a good serving day. He started doing some stuff on the other side of the court, waving his arms to try to distract me. He was saying he’s allowed to do that, but it was a bit distracting. Anyways, the umpire got involved, told him he couldn’t do that.
But we have a good relationship and Gael has always been an amazing showman. And obviously along with Stan Wawrinka, two of the older guard, two guys of my generation, and of course Novak Djokovic who has no plans to retire yet. So between those three guys, that’s like the core of my generation.
Tennis Now: It’s such an exciting time for American tennis with Shelton winning Canada twice in a row, former US Open finalist Fritz firing up in DC, Big Foe and Brandon Nakashima both playing well, Tien and Tommy Paul, who can play all court tennis. What’s your view on Americans at this US Open? Some, including your ESPN colleague Patrick McEnroe, are picking Shelton to win the US Open. What’s your view? Who are you picking to win the US Open?
John Isner: I will start with the American women. The American women are the strongest country in the world. Coco Gauff and Jess Pegula just played finals in Cincinnati and Coco won Cincinnati.
I think Coco Gauff is the favorite to win this tournament just based on how well she played in Cincinnati. She’s such an unbelievable mover, her forehand and serve were good, she wasn’t having the double faults that plagued her in the past,
Coco Gauff just looked so incredibly good in Cincinnati so she has a lot of momentum heading into the US Open.
That being said, Jessica Pegula is right there, she’s so consistent. Anisimova made the US Open final last year. On the women’s side, there are so many women that can win it.
On the men’s side this opportunity with no Sinner, which is a bit weird, right? We haven’t seen him since Wimbledon so he must have got hurt in practice. So his knee is not up to the challenge in New York for two weeks.
Alcaraz is playing, but he hasn’t played a singles match since April. So the early going could be rough. Alcaraz is the betting favorite, so if he can play his way into form—hopefully the first couple of matches for him he can navigate—he’s going to be feeling the ball better and will be a tough out.
Our American men are in a good spot.
I think Ben Shelton leads the charge with Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe right there. And then right after those two, I’d put Brandon Nakashima and Tommy Paul. Those five guys have a really, really legitimate shot to go deep.
I’m not going to go out and say we’re going to have an American men’s champion, but I will say I think we have a good shot of having one or two guys in the semifinals.
Tennis Now: What makes the US Open such a uniquely challenging Slam? Can you talk about the challenges of the heat and humidity, the crowds, the loudness, the intensity of playing the US Open and how do you manage all that on court?
John Isner: Totally. I think it’s two-fold.
One, it’s the heat. I always thought the US Open heat was the toughest of all the Slams. A lot of people thought Australia was, but it’s different. It’s a bit dryer down there in Australia.
As you know in New York, some years it can get really hot. The weather now I think is moderate, a lot of players would appreciate that including Djokovic, who struggled a bit in Cincinnati.
I think for the American players, there’s a lot of distractions in New York City. It can be draining. Like for your practice, obviously you get picked up in a tournament car, but as you know being in New York, sometimes it can take an hour or 45 minutes to get to the court. You practice, there’s a million people around the court to say hi to you. So there’s a lot of distractions for Americans.
So you sort of have to turn your phone off and just be laser focused to do your work. Get back to your hotel and rest up. Because New York City can drain you mentally—more so than physically—when you’re off the tennis court. So how you can manage that is very, very important to US Open success.
Tennis Now: Is there any classic serving tips you can give me that would help everyone from our readers to elite pros? When we look at all the great servers—Isner, Karlovic, Roddick, Sampras, Goran, Fed—is there any common connectivity whether it’s the toss, using big muscle groups, the motion, the racquet-head acceleration, etc.?
John Isner: I think having a repeatable motion is a big key.
Andy Roddick certainly has one. It’s a bit different, say, from a motion like mine.
The most important thing to know: It’s hard to teach the serve. I obviously had a great serve, but I can’t just show you how to serve. I think, most importantly, it’s the trophy position. It’s getting your elbow into this position right here [Isner raises his right arm and elbow as if preparing to throw a ball].
I don’t care how you get to here, to this position, but this is where you need to be before you go and get the ball and make contact. That’s very important. Andy would do it in a different way than me, but all of the great servers got into that trophy position. Turn your body and get that torque on the serve.
Also, the toss is crucial. I think a lot of amateur players maybe toss the ball too high. So what I’m saying is you don’t necessarily need a high ball toss.
Tennis Now: Last question John: Who is the best server in tennis now? Who is the serve you most like to watch as an imposing server yourself like Hey I respect that serve and that serve motion a lot?
John Isner: I think the best server in men’s tennis right now is Jannik Sinner. I actually like Sinner’s serve a lot.
I mean we all know Sinner does everything well, right? But Sinner dramatically changed his serve in the last three years. I really like his serve. I just like his motion—even if it looks like mine, I’m partial to that serve motion.
On the women’s side I think Sabalenka’s serve is the one. Go figure, they’re both No. 1 in the world, right? So I think those two have the best serves.
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