John Isner was able to go toe-to-toe against some of the all-time greats during his career on the ATP Tour.
Isner played and defeated each member of the ‘big three’, earning victories over Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
The American also faced off against Grand Slam champions such as Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, as well as some of the new generation, having had three meetings with current world number one Jannik Sinner.
There was one ATP star, however, Isner faced several times on the tour, whose name he just hated seeing in a tournament draw.
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty ImagesJohn Isner and Sam Querrey name the players they hated facing
When asked on the ‘Nothing Major Podcast’ who he hated playing against, he answered: “I am going to say two, [Jeremy] Chardy and Gilles Muller. I didn’t necessarily dislike playing Chardy; he just always beat me.
“But Muller was always a nightmare because, of course, we were going to play tight matches.
“I think if I had to choose one I mean because of my record it has got to be Chardy.”
Former US player Sam Querrey responded: “For me, it was [Adrian] Mannarino early. I was 0-4 against him. But then I flipped the switch, but he was my guy.”
John Isner’s head-to-head record against Gilles Muller
Though Isner didn’t like playing Gilles Muller, he managed to finish his career with a winning record of 4-2 against him.
He won their first two bouts in 2010 and 2011, which both came in Atlanta, before beating him again in Memphis the next year.
John Isner’s head-to-head record against Gilles Muller
In their first and only clash at a Grand Slam, Muller came out on top, defeating Isner at the 2015 Australian Open in straight sets to advance to the fourth round.
The Luxembourger followed it up with a win at Queen’s in 2016, before the two faced off for a final time in 2017.
Isner emerged victorious in their last clash, overcoming Muller in the semifinal in Atlanta.