Isner's win brings back memories — and brings up hopes

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — There was John Isner, the bill of his cap turned the wrong way, as if he were a baseball catcher and not a tennis player. He had overcome an 87-degree temperature and Diego Schwartzman, 7-5, 6-3, in a third-round match of the BNP Paribas Open.

Meaning he’ll move on.

But for so many of us, John Isner provides an excuse to look back, remembering both his own historic match at Wimbledon and, for no particular reason, a time when Americans could win major tournaments.

Maybe they still are capable.

Not Isner, admittedly. True, he reached the Wimbledon semifinals in 2018, but now he’s 36.

If a U.S. player is to break through, it will be somebody like Taylor Fritz or Francis Tiafoe, both 24.

Isner is still a player, as verified by his victory Tuesday over Schwartzman, who once was as high as eighth in the ATP rankings. He was one of four U.S. players to advance, including Fritz, who beat Alex de Minaur of Australia, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (2).

Fortunately or unfortunately, nationality plays an important role in tennis, alongside personality. With no team (other than the Davis Cup), the sport relies on fans supporting their men or women.

The greats, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, built an international reputation and following, but for the majority of tennis players where you’re from often counts as much as how you perform.

For a long time, the game seemingly belonged to American men. Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang won majors in the 1980s and 90s. But no U.S. player has taken a major since Andy Roddick won the U.S Open in 2003 — 19 years ago.

Isner made his run, with that big serve, but it wasn’t to be. His plaque on the wall at Wimbledon is for that 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68 victory over Nicolas Mahut that took more than 11 hours in 2010.

Wimbledon then changed the tie-break rules, so that record will remain forever.

So, at times, does it appear will the record for America going winless in majors.

The potential is out there, numerous fine young American tennis players, one of whom, Jenson Brooksby, upset a major finalist, Stefanos Tsitsipas, here on Monday night. Potential, but so what? When will it be realized, if ever? And why won’t it be realized?

The United States has more people (other than a couple of Asian nations), better facilities and supposedly a love of sports. Yes, “love” is the tennis term for “nothing,” yet it shouldn’t be applied here.

The explanations for America’s ineffectiveness at Wimbledon, Australia or the U.S. Open — we’ll concede, no chance on the clay at Roland-Garros — are based on the thought that tennis is a minor sport.

Russians play tennis, Serbs play tennis, Spaniards play tennis. Americans play football, baseball, basketball, hockey and golf. Maybe it was Tiger Woods, or maybe it was stars from other sports in pro-ams, but golf has the popularity that tennis seeks.

The U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York City draws more than 500,000 spectators. It’s an event as much as a championship. Does it help any kid in the country become the U.S. Open winner? See the blanks.

Fritz has been touted since he dominated others at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego. His father is involved in the U.S. national tennis teaching program. His mother, Kathy May, was a tremendous player. He turned down a scholarship at USC to turn pro.

Five years later, with an improved forehand, Fritz said, “I expect a lot more of myself.

“I think just my level as a player has gone up. I feel I have gone up several levels, so yeah, I expect a lot more of myself. Six months ago, I think I was ranked almost 40, and now I’m between 15 and 20.”

No one wants him to play a marathon match like Isner — just do something Isner hasn’t, win a Grand Slam.