John Isner (25 °), 35-year-old American tennis player, announced that he will not play the 2021 edition of the Australian Open, after falling in the Delray Beach quarterfinals, 6-3, 4-6 and 6-3, against his compatriot Sebastian Korda (119 °), who is barely 20 years old.
“It was not an easy decision at all. I thought about it a lot, but I feel comfortable with my decision at the moment and can’t wait to go home.”, said the former world number 8, who also clarified that he had decided to leave the first Grand Slam of the season before the loss at the ATP 250 that is played in the state of Florida.
It is worth remembering that Upon arrival in Melbourne, tennis players must comply with a strict 14-day quarantine before starting their journey into the tournament which will begin on February 8. This regulation has made several players think about whether or not to participate in the tournament, due to the time it takes them to be away from their family.
Neither more nor less than Roger Federer (5th) was one of those who dropped out of the Grand Slam for this reason and it seems that Isner, who has a two-year-old son and a one-year-old son with his wife Madison McKinley, it also influenced him.
“At this stage in my career and life, I always had the vision of being able to travel with my family. Of course, that would not be the case in Australia this year.”said the North Carolina-born.
Despite his decision, Isner, who was present at the first Grand Slam of the season in 12 of the last 13 years, clarified: “Not going to Australia does not mean that you are not engaged, because I still am with the sport of tennis. I am healthy, I feel very good and I will continue to take care of my body. Once the Tour returns from Australia, I hope to play as complete a season as possible“.
