No family, no Australian Open: John Isner also leaves Melbourne
John Isner will not participate in the 2021 Australian Open. The American announced this on the sidelines of the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Delray Beach.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 12, 2021, 02:46 pm
John Isner said goodbye to the quarter-finals of the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Delray Beach, as was the case at the French Open 2020 with 20-year-old Sebastian Korda . In contrast to his young compatriot, who would like to gain match practice at ATP Challenger tournaments in Europe in the coming weeks, Isner is now facing a longer break. Because even the long-standing US number one will not fly to Australia.
"Before the pandemic, I decided that I would travel with my family as much as possible and that we would make our trip as pleasant as possible," Isner said in Delray Beach. “Tennis is definitely not the most important thing in my life right now. This is my family. The fact that I'm not going to Australia doesn't mean that I don't take my sport seriously any longer. Because I do. I'm healthy, I feel really good ... When the tour comes back from Australia, I'm looking forward to playing a full season. "
Difficult decisions for Isner and Federer
The physical component distinguishes the 35-year-old Isner from the 39-year-old Roger Federer . He had originally argued with his not yet fully restored knee that he had to skip the Australian Open in 2021. According to reports, the 14-day quarantine also played a major role in Federer's cancellation. Because even the whole Federer entourage could not have come to Australia.
“The entire tour will be in Australia for five weeks,” continues Isner. “I have a really long break now, that's for sure, but I made up my mind last night. It wasn't an easy decision, not at all. I've thought about it long and hard, but now I can live with my decision. I am looking forward to coming home. "