John Isner Reveals Roger Federer Caused Him the Most Nerves During Early Career

Former professional tennis player John Isner revealed today that Roger Federer made him the most nervous during his initial encounters with the “Big Three” of men’s tennis – Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

Speaking on the Nothing Major Show, Isner explained the feeling stemmed from playing Federer shortly after finishing college. “It was probably Roger, because I played him right out of college. I finished college in May, and I played him at the US Open a few months later, of course on Arthur Ashe,” Isner said. He clarified, however, that while overwhelmed, he didn’t necessarily feel crippling nerves, noting, “You have absolutely nothing to lose when you play these guys.”

Isner recalled winning the first set against Federer in a tiebreaker, but ultimately losing the match in four and two sets. He also discussed his first match against Nadal, believing it was at Roland Garros in 2011, where he took the Spaniard to five sets. His overall record against the trio reflects the dominance of the era, with 2 wins and 8 losses against Federer, 1 win and 8 losses against Nadal, and 2 wins and 10 losses against Djokovic – a testament to the challenges faced by players during their peak. You can find a detailed look at ATP Tour statistics and player profiles here.

Fellow American Jack Sock echoed Isner’s sentiment about Federer, stating he felt “most overwhelmed” by Federer’s aura. Sock also noted he was most nervous about being “embarrassed tennis-wise” when facing Djokovic, while feeling he had a better chance against Nadal due to stylistic similarities. This insight into the psychological impact of facing these legendary players highlights the mental fortitude required to compete at the highest level of professional tennis, a sport increasingly focused on the mental game as discussed by experts at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Officials have not yet commented on Isner’s remarks, but his reflections offer a unique perspective on an era defined by the exceptional skill and competitive intensity of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.