The best thing about being 6'9'' is that it helps with my tennis game, especially with my serve.
— John Isner
The hardest part about traveling for work is that I'm a big guy, so traveling is sometimes uncomfortable for me.
In a tiebreaker, you generally have a lot of adrenaline running through. It's all about just holding your serve, trying to hold two serves at a time, trying to stay ahead in the tiebreaker, constantly put pressure on my opponent.
The coaches that I have have done an incredible job with me, obviously the stuff we work on on the court.
Nothing against the Olympics. I played in 2012 and it was an incredible experience. It's different for tennis players than for swimmers and track and field athletes. That's the pinnacle of their sport and not so much the pinnacle of tennis.
When I left college, I just thought I could play tennis to delay getting a regular job and go there and try to make ends meet. But it's been a very different experience for me, fortunately.
I've done a good job putting some meat on my bones since my freshman year of college. It's taken a lot of work. I was just under 200 pounds my freshman year; I was 6'8' and 198 pounds.
In the past, I've played where I only just rely on my serve.
A lot of players have had it worse than me. Look at a guy like Andy Roddick, incredible Hall of Fame player, but he ran up against Roger so many times in big finals.
The way I see it, the prize money is a reflection of my on-court performance, but the sponsorships are something more personal, connected more to people and fans, and to my values.
People often come up and tell me how much money I make in a year, which is funny because I don't think it's something I've ever said to someone.
My coaches, trainer and agency have all helped make me the player and the business that I am today.
As anyone who is a father or mother out there can tell you, it's pretty amazing.
Taking care of my body and my health is my full-time job.
Everyone works so hard on their game and on their body. Most of the time, it comes down to who is more relaxed mentally; on the court while playing and off the court.
I have a coach and I have a chiropractor, who works to keep me healthy. I pay their salaries. I pay for their flights as we travel around the world on a weekly basis, and I pay for their hotels and meals while we're on tour.
My family and friends, they know that I'm a really good competitor.
What I most look forward to about traveling to MEMPHIS is the great food.
The best part about traveling for work is that it's better than sitting behind a desk!
It's awesome to have the crowd on your side.
Our biggest events are the Grand Slams and are always going to be the Grand Slams.
Outdoor tennis plays into my strengths a little better.
A big upper body is not a great thing for tennis, and for me, flexibility is important.
Probably the most infamous story in our family: My oldest brother took a U-lock bike lock and locked my head to the bedpost. And he didn't just do this for a minute or two; he did this for a couple hours. I was maybe 8 or 9, and he was maybe 15.
I didn't know I could even be a professional tennis player, honestly. All this is actually very, very unexpected.
Everything has gone pretty fluidly in my personal life, so I think that certainly helps.
I've played with Prince racquets my entire career.
Being able to travel with family and friends so they can cheer me on as I play is something it's hard to put a price on; my point is simply that for all of this, there is indeed a price.
Sometimes I think the easiest way to introduce what goes into managing the expenses of a tennis career is to take a look at another pro sport and notice some of the differences.
That's the most fulfilling thing I've experienced ever, being a father.
As a tennis player, or any professional athlete, our career has a shelf life. I don't want to waste any opportunities, I don't want to look back on it when I'm 45 and think I could have done a lot more.
I try not to make a habit of spending the whole year losing in the first rounds of events, but tennis is one of those sports where nothing is guaranteed.
When I travel to a grand slam, I need to look for a place to stay for me, my family and my team.
I had no idea I was going to be this tall. Had I known that, I honestly would have stuck to basketball.
My favorite tournament is the U.S. Open because the atmosphere is great.
Yeah, certainly you want to try to save your energy at a Grand Slam.
I haven't really worked with, like, a mental coach or anything.
Tennis is not really a traditional Olympic sport.
For many years, tennis was the most important thing in my life. That was great. Nothing wrong with that.
At 19, I didn't have a hair on my face. When I was 20, I looked 14.
The mental part of the game, being able to free up on the tennis court, is much easier said than done.
If someone had told me at fourteen that I'd be six-ten, I might have stuck with basketball, in all seriousness.
Prior to our daughter being born, I think getting married is another big step. That definitely settles things down personally.
A tournament pays me to show up because the fans want to see me and I move the needle at the box office? That's amazing. It's good for tennis, good for me and good for the event. If a sponsor wants to pay to put their company name on my shirt because they think I'm a strong ambassador for their brand? Heck yes.
I love building a team around me, and being able to support a group of people is one of the best feelings I've come to know during my career; I imagine this is what a lot of business owners can relate to this.
Practicing hard doesn't guarantee you anything.
For me, I relish playing tournaments in America.
There is so much that goes in to being a good tennis player. It's not just what you can do well on the court, it's between the ears as well.
My expenses are largely a fixed, sunken cost, regardless of how much revenue I earn.
I'd love to have Trump come watch me. That would be awesome.
