By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, June 27, 2024
Photo credit: ESPN
Massive servers will share big opinions at Wimbledon.
John Isner and Nick Kyrgios have signed on to serve as guests analysts for ESPN's Wimbledon coverage, which starts on Monday, July 1st at 6 a.m. Eastern time.
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The 39-year-old Isner, who retired following last year’s U.S. Open, will make his ESPN debut July 1-7, from the first round to round of 16 coverage.
Widely regarded as the most devastating server in tennis history, Isner won 16 ATP Singles titles and reached a career-high ranking as world No. 8 in singles in 2018. He’sthe third-tallest player in the ATP history.
The former all American at Georgia earned global attention edging Nicolas Mahut in a from here to eternity epic at the 2010 Wimbledon that spanned a record 11 hours, 5 minutes over three days, the longest tennis match by far in history, with a fifth set score of 70 to 68. Isner reached the fourth round or better at all four Grand Slams and famously pushed King of Clay Rafael Nadal to five sets at the 2011 Roland Garros..
In 2018, Isner was again at the center of a marathon match at Wimbledon, this time in the second-longest match in tournament history.
In an epic battle of former all-Americans, Kevin Anderson edged Isner, 7-6 (8), 6-7 (5), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 26-24, to advance to his first career Wimbledon final with a historic triumph that staggered both big men.
The longest match in Centre Court history spanned six hours, 36 minutes and was the second longest Grand Slam match to Isner's 11 hour, 5-minute marathon win over Nicolas Mahut at the 2010 Wimbledon.
Nick Kyrgios, who made his on-air debut with ESPN during the 2024 Australian Open and captivated tennis fans immediately with his candor and unpredictable banter, returns to the ESPN booth for the entire Wimbledon fortnight.
Known for his powerful serve, exceptional shot-making ability, and sometime trash-talking style, Kyrgios has captured seven singles titles and four doubles titles throughout his career.
Impressively, Kyrgios is one of the few players to defeat the Big 3 Champions Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal at least once.
“I am thrilled to be joining the ESPN team to cover such an amazing event,” said Isner. “I can’t wait to see what the week brings from the booth.”
Kyrgios stunned many in the tennis world with his run to the 2022 Wimbledon final where he won the first set before bowing to Novak Djokovic.
A dynamic Kyrgios delivered a declarative 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(5) triumph over Cristian Garin driving into his first major semifinal at that 2022 Wimbledon.
Eight years after Kyrgios fell in his maiden Wimbledon quarterfinal, he rose up on pressure points saving seven of eight break points and pumping 11 aces for the biggest win of his career.
It was a monumental tournament for Kyrgios, who became the first Aussie man since his former Davis Cup captain, Lleyton Hewitt in 2005, to reach the Wimbledon final.
“Commenting for ESPN at Wimbledon this year is a huge honor. I've had great matches on the court in the past, and I can't wait to be on the other side, teaming up with ESPN to break down matches on those legendary grass courts,” said Kyrgios. “Looking forward to giving fans a fresh take on the game!”