There’s no place like home for world No.19 John Isner, and that spells bad news for his Australian Open hopes after he copped another backside whooping Down Under.
Isner was left searching for answers after being belted 6-3 6-1 in 59 minutes by world No.5 Daniil Medvedev at the ATP Cup in Perth on Sunday night.
Australia hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Isner, especially in recent years.
The 34-year-old has bowed out in the first round of the Australian Open in the past two years, and he was knocked off in the second round three years ago.
Isner was a lost soul after his loss to Medvedev on Sunday, and he was refreshingly forthright when analysing his performance.
“I got my ass kicked out there,” the American said.
“I wasn’t even close. Generally with my game I can keep matches close and make it depend on a few points here or there, but that wasn’t the case.
“I didn’t serve as well as I needed to, and that was trouble once that was the case.”
He was equally honest about his form in Australia.
“I’ve been really bad down here the last three, four years,” Isner said.
“That trend is certainly continuing right now. I definitely play my best in the United States.
“It’s not the heat, I don’t know about the travel. I’m a homebody I guess. I just … I don’t know, we’ll see.
“I’ll continue to work. I’m not just going to complain and lament my bad form right now.”
The US are already out of the ATP Cup title race after losing to Norway and Russia in their first two ties.
Isner said the team are desperate to fight for pride when they take on Italy in Perth on Tuesday night.
“Things are pretty dire right now, there’s no doubt,” Isner said.
“But it’s not all doom and gloom in the locker room, there are some smiles.”