30-11-2012, 09:06 PM
Source: NY Times
Isner Parts Ways With Coach
John Isner, who at No. 14 is the top-ranked American in the A.T.P. rankings, has parted ways which Craig Boynton, who had served as his coach since March 2009.
After beating No. 1 Novak Djokovic to reach the final of the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, Isner broke into the top 10 and became the top-ranked American for the first time in his career.
His ranking peaked at a career-high of No. 9 in April, but had slipped five spots to No. 14 by the end of the season after first-week losses at the remaining three Grand Slam events of the season. He finished with a 45-21 record in 2012, winning titles in Newport and Winston-Salem.
“I had a great run with Craig, learned a lot and felt like I improved every year,” Isner said in an e-mail. “I just felt like it was time for a different voice. CB and I will remain great friends and he will always be someone I can go to for help or advice.”
Isner’s agent Sam Duvall described the split as “very amicable.”
When Boynton became his coach, the big-serving 6-foot-9 Isner was ranked well outside the top 100, dropping as low as No. 147 on March 9. But Isner finished 2009 over 100 spots higher at No. 34, a year that included a run to the fourth round of the United States Open and a five-set win over then-No. 5 Andy Roddick.
Isner won his first of five career titles in early 2010 in Auckland, and broke into the top 20 for the first time later that year. His 2010 will be most remembered for his 11-hour, five-minute match against Nicolas Mahut in the first round of Wimbledon, which Isner won 70-68 in the fifth set.
In 2011, Isner became the first man to push Rafael Nadal to five sets at the French Open, and he later reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the United States Open. In 2012, Isner led the American Davis Cup team to the semifinals with victories in away ties against Switzerland and France on clay, highlighted by a four-set win over Federer.
Isner has hired Michael Sell as his coach for 2013.
After serving as the personal coach of Monica Seles, Sell began to work with the United States Tennis Association in 2003, eventually rising to the level of lead national coach for men’s tennis. He has at various times worked more closely with Isner, Mardy Fish, and Donald Young.
Sell, like Isner, played four years of collegiate tennis at the University of Georgia.
Boynton will remain based as head of pro tennis at the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, where Isner and several other American players are based.
Isner will be playing in the Miami Tennis Cup exhibition this weekend in Key Biscayne, along with Andy Murray and Andy Roddick. He is scheduled to open his 2013 season at the Hopman Cup in Perth, where he will be representing the United States along with Venus Williams.
Isner Parts Ways With Coach
John Isner, who at No. 14 is the top-ranked American in the A.T.P. rankings, has parted ways which Craig Boynton, who had served as his coach since March 2009.
After beating No. 1 Novak Djokovic to reach the final of the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, Isner broke into the top 10 and became the top-ranked American for the first time in his career.
His ranking peaked at a career-high of No. 9 in April, but had slipped five spots to No. 14 by the end of the season after first-week losses at the remaining three Grand Slam events of the season. He finished with a 45-21 record in 2012, winning titles in Newport and Winston-Salem.
“I had a great run with Craig, learned a lot and felt like I improved every year,” Isner said in an e-mail. “I just felt like it was time for a different voice. CB and I will remain great friends and he will always be someone I can go to for help or advice.”
Isner’s agent Sam Duvall described the split as “very amicable.”
When Boynton became his coach, the big-serving 6-foot-9 Isner was ranked well outside the top 100, dropping as low as No. 147 on March 9. But Isner finished 2009 over 100 spots higher at No. 34, a year that included a run to the fourth round of the United States Open and a five-set win over then-No. 5 Andy Roddick.
Isner won his first of five career titles in early 2010 in Auckland, and broke into the top 20 for the first time later that year. His 2010 will be most remembered for his 11-hour, five-minute match against Nicolas Mahut in the first round of Wimbledon, which Isner won 70-68 in the fifth set.
In 2011, Isner became the first man to push Rafael Nadal to five sets at the French Open, and he later reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the United States Open. In 2012, Isner led the American Davis Cup team to the semifinals with victories in away ties against Switzerland and France on clay, highlighted by a four-set win over Federer.
Isner has hired Michael Sell as his coach for 2013.
After serving as the personal coach of Monica Seles, Sell began to work with the United States Tennis Association in 2003, eventually rising to the level of lead national coach for men’s tennis. He has at various times worked more closely with Isner, Mardy Fish, and Donald Young.
Sell, like Isner, played four years of collegiate tennis at the University of Georgia.
Boynton will remain based as head of pro tennis at the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, where Isner and several other American players are based.
Isner will be playing in the Miami Tennis Cup exhibition this weekend in Key Biscayne, along with Andy Murray and Andy Roddick. He is scheduled to open his 2013 season at the Hopman Cup in Perth, where he will be representing the United States along with Venus Williams.