TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 1st of June 2014. T. Berdych d. J. Isner 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. An interview with John Isner
Q. Obviously tough to get into those sets getting down a break early in each one. Talk about just overall how you felt in the match.
JOHN ISNER: I felt okay. I was a little slow out there, but I thought the guy just played well. Thought he played very well. He was a lot better than me today, and that’s really all it was to that match out there. He was just the better player.
Q. Just frustrated at not being able to get into his service game a little bit more?
JOHN ISNER: Yeah. Felt like he served pretty well. He did a lot of things well out there.
I didn’t have many chances and it wasn’t really that close.
Q. He’s 6’5″, and I don’t think people appreciate how he moves. Talk about how that helped him today.
JOHN ISNER: Yeah, he does a lot of things very well. Everything. He’s very solid and moves very well for his size. Strong guy.
I mean, it helped him out a lot. There is a reason why he’s whatever ranked in the world.
Q. There are different roles in American sports that are kind of special, and one of them is being No. 1 in tennis. Kind of a tough time to talk about it, but if you wouldn’t mind, can you talk about what it means being the No. 1 American.
JOHN ISNER: Yeah, I mean, it’s an honor. Wasn’t really a dream of mine or anything like that. Just so happens that I am the No. 1 American.
I’m the No. 1 American now, which isn’t as cool as being the No. 1 American in the ’90s or something or the 2000s. It’s pretty neat to say, but it’s nothing I would brag about or anything like that.
Just trying to keep improving my ranking as best I can. If I’m No. 1 American or 4 American, whatever, I just want to try to keep getting higher.
Q. John, grass is next, which has probably been your weakest surface. What is it about it? Is it the low bounce?
JOHN ISNER: Yeah, but it’s a surface I’ve come to actually like and something I’m really excited about this year; whereas in years past I wouldn’t be too excited about it.
I really do think it can be my best surface and my best chance to do something very good at a slam. I’m very eager to get on the grass.
I am going to get home and rest up and get a little stronger and get mentally ready for Wimbledon. It’s a big opportunity for everyone, but a huge opportunity for me, too. I really felt like last year I was starting to it’s one of those things. Felt like it started to click, even though I only won one match there last year.
I’m excited to get back on it. It takes some practice and time, and that’s what I’m going to do.
Q. Have you ever watched old tape of some of the big guys that used to dominate in the ’90s?
JOHN ISNER: No, and I hear the grass is much different, too. And I’m really not like a natural serve and volleyer, so I don’t watch too much tape.
