Novak Djokovic Names Five ‘Extraordinary’ American Tennis Legends – And His Surprising Take on John Isner

Novak Djokovic Names Five ‘Extraordinary’ American Tennis Legends – And His Surprising Take on John Isner

In recent years, American men’s tennis has been experiencing a notable resurgence, with several players making deep runs in Grand Slam tournaments and climbing the ATP rankings. This marks a significant improvement for a nation that once dominated men’s tennis but had struggled to produce consistent Grand Slam contenders over the past two decades.

The Resurgence of American Tennis

At present, four American male players are ranked inside the ATP Top 20, and two of them have broken into the world’s Top 10—an impressive turnaround compared to previous years when American tennis was often overshadowed by European dominance.

Breakthrough Performances of American Players

One of the biggest breakthroughs came in 2024, when Taylor Fritz reached the US Open final, an achievement that propelled him to a career-high ranking of world No. 4. This was a historic moment for American tennis, as it marked the highest year-end ranking for an American male player since James Blake in 2006.

The momentum has carried into 2025, with Ben Shelton further solidifying his status as a future star by reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, his second Grand Slam semifinal appearance. At the same time, Tommy Paul, another emerging talent, broke into the ATP Top 10 for the first time after an impressive run in Melbourne.

Additionally, rising stars like Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien have also begun making waves on the ATP Tour, scoring major wins against higher-ranked opponents and proving that American tennis is no longer lagging behind its European counterparts.

Djokovic’s Perspective on the State of American Tennis

This revival has not gone unnoticed, as Novak Djokovic himself acknowledged the growing strength of American men’s tennis. In 2023, before facing Taylor Fritz at the US Open quarterfinals, the Serbian legend offered his insights on why American players were thriving again and named five American legends he considered to be truly “extraordinary”.

Novak Djokovic has always had a deep understanding of the sport’s history, and his thoughts on the state of American tennis carried significant weight. He pointed out that the resurgence of American men’s tennis was essential for the growth of the sport, especially in a country that has long been a dominant force in tennis history.

Facing the Home Crowd Challenge at the 2023 US Open

Speaking ahead of his quarterfinal clash against Fritz at the 2023 US Open, Djokovic acknowledged that playing against American players in the United States came with its challenges. He expected to face a highly partisan crowd, especially if he advanced further in the tournament and had to play either Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals.

Despite the potentially hostile atmosphere, Djokovic was enthusiastic about the revitalization of American tennis, stating that having multiple American players reach the later stages of a Grand Slam was great for the sport. He explained that the success of American players at the US Open helped generate more excitement for the tournament and attract a larger audience to the game.

Five American Tennis Legends Named by Djokovic

During the interview, Djokovic took a moment to reflect on some of the greatest American players in history, emphasizing the impact they had on the sport. He specifically named five American legends who, in his opinion, were truly exceptional:

• Pete Sampras
• Andre Agassi
• John McEnroe
• Andy Roddick
• Jimmy Connors

Djokovic elaborated on his reasoning, explaining that these players set an incredibly high standard for American tennis. Because of their remarkable achievements, future generations of American players were always compared to their legacy, making it difficult for newer players to escape comparisons.

The High Expectations of American Tennis

Djokovic pointed out that winning Grand Slams and reaching world No. 1 had been the benchmark for success in American tennis for decades. As a result, players who failed to replicate the dominance of Sampras, Agassi, McEnroe, Roddick, or Connors were often unfairly labeled as underachievers, regardless of their actual success on tour.

One particular player who, in Djokovic’s view, was unjustly criticized was John Isner. Despite being one of the most consistent American players of his generation, Isner was often judged harshly for not winning a Grand Slam title.

Djokovic’s Defense of John Isner

One of the most interesting points Djokovic made was about John Isner, who, despite being one of the most successful American players of the last two decades, was often criticized for never winning a Grand Slam.

“If he didn’t win a Grand Slam, people thought his career was a failure, which I don’t agree with,” Djokovic stated. “But I understand why—because America is such a strong tennis nation with very high expectations.”

Isner, known for his record-breaking serve and powerful game, came agonizingly close to a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon 2018, where he played one of the longest matches in history against Kevin Anderson in the semifinals.

That match lasted an incredible six hours and 36 minutes, with the final set going to 26-24. In the end, Isner fell just short of reaching his first Grand Slam final, a heartbreaking result that many viewed as his best chance to win a major title.

Will an American Player Win a Grand Slam in 2025?

While American men’s tennis has regained its strength, none of the current players—Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, or Tommy Paul—have been able to win a Grand Slam title yet.

With Roland Garros approaching on May 25, American players will once again have an opportunity to prove themselves on the Grand Slam stage. The hope is that one of them will rise to the occasion and bring home a major title, ending the drought for American men’s tennis.

Novak Djokovic, with his deep understanding of the sport, has seen multiple generations of champions rise and fall. While he has praised the resurgence of American tennis, he also understands that winning Grand Slams is the true test of greatness.

The Future of American Tennis: Who Will Step Up?

Will this new generation of American players finally deliver on their potential and add their names to the list of legendary champions? Or will the search for the next great American Grand Slam winner continue?

As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on the new wave of American stars, and the world of tennis eagerly awaits to see who will take the next big step in their careers.