He is playing at pro level on the ATP Tour for fifteen years now, holding the record for hitting the ATP’s fastest serve ever, with more than fourteen thousand he has the most aces in the history of ATP tour, he was a participant in the longest tennis match that lasted eleven hours and five minutes and was played over three days, known for his nickname “Grandpa” he is 37-years-old American, John Isner.
John Isner was born on 26th April 1985 in Greensboro, North Carolina to Robert and Caren Isner. His father was into politics as part of Democrats and his mother worked as real estate broker. John has two older brothers Nathan and Jordan.
Until nine, John was training basketball and believe that if he hadn’t become tennis player he would succeed in basketball. His favorite player in that time was Karl Malone. Then he started playing tennis and at age of eleven he started to train more seriously.
While in high school he played for the tennis team and led them to the state champion title in 2001. He also played junior tournaments which included 2002 US Open and Orange Bowl.
After high school John was recruited by University of Georgia where he had dominant four years, compiling a win-loss record of 148-28 in singles. His best result during college years was winning the 2005 NCAA doubles title. In 2007 he ended his college career and turned pro.
Who is John Isner’s coach in 2023?
Philip Farmer
Since season 2023, Isner’s coach is his compatriot, Philip Farmer.
Philip Farmer was born in Dallas and grew up in Plano, Texas. He played tennis and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. He has been coaching on pro Tour since 1997 and in 2013 was USPTA Touring coach of the year.
Philip is known as coach of Bob and Mike Bryan, guided them to four Grand Slam titles and no.1 on ATP list in doubles. He also collaborated with players like Sam Querrey, Corina Morairu and Tara Snyder. Recently, besides Austin Krajicek and Hans Hach Verdugo, he started coaching Isner.
“I’ve known him for a long time and I’m really happy to have him with me. Phil is a great guy. The practices have been great, been really focused and I normally go for an hour and a half, maybe two hours and just try to get a lot of work done. I am just really enjoying it so far.”
This week John lost in the first round of Indian Wells, in straight sets, to his compatriot Brandon Nakashima.
Former John Isner’s coaches
Craig Boynton
After turning pro, for over three years since 2009 was coached by Craig Boynton.
Craig Boynton was born in Massillon, Ohio. He didn’t have any significant result as tennis player and after retiring he became a coach in 1983. He coached former no.1 Jim Courier and also players like Mardy Fish, Steve Johnson, Jack Sock and Donald Young. Since 2019 is coach of Hubert Hurkacz. In his time outside tennis, he likes to watch baseball and is big fan of Chicago Cubs.
As for his collaboration with Isner, John was just beginning his tennis journey and he found the perfect guy to help him get out of his own way and do what he does best. Under his mentorship John won total five singles ATP titles and two playing in doubles. He also entered into top 10 players for the first time. At the end of season 2012 they split up.
“I had a great run with Craig, learned a lot and felt like I improved every year,” said Isner. “I just felt like it was time for a different voice. Craig and I will remain great friends and he will always be someone I can go to for help or advice.”
Michael Sell
Then, for two years Isner was coached by Monika Seles’ former coach, Michael Sell.
Michael Sell was born on 23rd August 1972 in Berkeley, California. Before he turned professional, Michael played for the University of Georgia and was an All-American every year from 1992 to 1995. At pro level he didn’t win any ATP tournament.
After retirement, he was Monika Seles’ personal coach for two years, then USTA Lead National coach and Assistant coach of the USA team at 2012 London Olympics.
During his collaboration with Isner, John won four ATP titles, but at the second half of season 2014 Isner had not so good results and droped out of top 10, so they ended their relationship.
Justin GImelstob and Rene Moller.
Starting from season 2015, Isner hired two coaches, Justin GImelstob and Rene Moller.
Justin Gimelstob was born on 26th January 1977 in Livingston, New Jersey. He started playing tennis when he was eight and was the top-ranked boy in his group age from ages twelve through eighteen.
Then he enrolled UCLA where he was an ALL American in his freshman year. At the pro level, he was most successful playing mix doubles, winning two Grand Slam titles in 1998, at Australian Open and Rolland Garros.
He was Isner’s coach for almost four years and guided him to five singles and two doubles ATP title.
“I am a big beliver that John is very unique, so he should be trained uniquely. There is real work to be done, and John deserves a ton of credit for doing it.”
Rene Moller was born on 17th February 1976 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Currently is working as the touring pros director at Saddlebrook Resort and Tennis Academy in Tampa, Florida.
He was Sam Stosur’s coach for two years, guiding her to a career high ranking and a French Open semifinal. Rene also worked with Jack Sock and Alex Kuznetsov.
As a part of Isner’s coaching team, alongside Gimelstob and later coach Macpherson, Moller guided Isner to seven singles and five doubles ATP titles. In season 2018, Isner reached his career-best ranking of World no.8.
David Macpherson
David Macpherson was born on 3rd July 1967 in Launceston, Australia. He is former tennis player, successfully playing in doubles where he won sixteen ATP titles and reached career-high rank of world no.11. As coach, from 2005 through 2016 he was guiding the greatest doubles pair in the history of tennis, Bryan brothers. Now he is the head coach of The George Washington University team.
While coaching Isner, he won six singles and four doubles ATP tournaments.
John Isner’s achievements with different coaches
We have collected in the table the data about the trophies won by John Isner under the guidance of various coaches.
| Coaches | Years of Completion | Titles |
| Philip Farmer | 2023 – ongoing | none |
| David Macpherson | 2017 – 2022 | 2022 Miami Open (doubles), ATP
2022 Indian Wells (doubles), ATP 2021 Atlanta Open, ATP 2021 Los Cabos Open (doubles), ATP 2019 Newport Open, ATP 2018 Atlanta Open, ATP 2018 Miami Open, ATP 2018 Indian Wells (doubles), ATP 2017 Atlanta Open, ATP 2017 Newport Open, ATP |
| Rene Moller | 2015 – 2022 | 2022 Miami Open (doubles), ATP
2022 Indian Wells (doubles), ATP 2021 Atlanta Open, ATP 2021 Los Cabos Open (doubles), ATP 2019 Newport Open, ATP 2018 Atlanta Open, ATP 2018 Miami Open, ATP 2018 Indian Wells (doubles), ATP 2017 Atlanta Open, ATP 2017 Newport Open, ATP 2016 Shanghai Open (doubles), ATP 2015 Atlanta Open, ATP |
| Justin Gimelstob | 2015 – 2018 | 2018 Atlanta Open, ATP
2018 Miami Open, ATP 2018 Indian Wells (doubles), ATP 2017 Atlanta Open, ATP 2017 Newport Open, ATP 2016 Shanghai Open (doubles), ATP 2015 Atlanta Open, ATP |
| Michael Sell | 2013 – 2014 | 2014 Atlanta Open, ATP
2014 Auckland Open, ATP 2013 Atlanta Open, ATP 2013 Houston Open, ATP |
| Craig Boyton | 2009 – 2012 | 2012 Winston-Salem Open, ATP
2012 Newport Open, ATP 2011 Winston-Salem Open, ATP 2011 Newport Open, ATP 2011 Rome Open (doubles), ATP 2010 Auckland Open, ATP 2010 Memphis Open (doubles), ATP |
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