Tennis

John Isner explains why he believes tennis was tougher in 2012 than it is today, ‘it’s ridiculous’

October 11, 2026

Former Wimbledon semi-finalist John Isner, who peaked at world No. 14 in 2012, argues that the men’s tennis landscape was far more competitive a decade and a half ago than it is today.

In 2012, the top eight players included Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray—all at or near their primes—followed by a tier of challengers like David Ferrer, Tomáš Berdych, Juan Martín del Potro, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Isner noted that qualifying for the ATP Finals in that era was exceptionally difficult, with only eight spots available, and even the fifth-ranked players (Ferrer, Berdych, and Delpo) were near-locked contenders.

By contrast, the current 2026 ATP Race to Turin features a broader field, with players like Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz vying for five guaranteed spots, a stark contrast to the elite depth of 2012. Djokovic, the sole remaining member of the ‘Big Four,’ has not won a Grand Slam since his 2023 US Open title, further fueling Isner’s claim that modern tennis lacks the same level of dominance and intensity.