John Isner Doubtful for Australian Open

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John Isner Doubtful for Australian Open

By Erik Gudris

(January 9, 2013) - John Isner may be forced out of next week's Australian Open due to an ongoing leg issue he's been dealing with since December.

Isner, who was the top seed at this week's Apia International event in Sydney, lost his opening round match yesterday to fellow American Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-4. Isner is suffering form a bone bruise on his right leg that forced him to withdraw from the Hopman Cup earlier in the month.

During his post-match press conference, Isner hesitated to confirm if he would play in Melbourne or not.

"From now up until Melbourne I definitely can't practice like I need to," said Isner to ATP.com. "I could play. Certainly I could win a match maybe, a match or two. I don't see myself winning the whole tournament at this point, that's for sure."

Isner lost in the third round at last year's Australian Open in a brutal five-set loss to Marin Cilic of Croatia. The current American No.1 has had a history of falling early at the Grand Slams with his best result being a quarterfinal showing at the 2010 U.S. Open. With the AO men's draw to be announced on Friday, Isner must make a decision soon. If he chooses to play, Isner would be seeded at No. 12.

With the recent retirement of Andy Roddick, Isner leads the pack of current U.S. men on tour. But Isner, along with Harrison and others have undergone recent criticism for not breaking through at the biggest events. Roddick was the last American man to reach the semis of Melbourne back in 2009.

"I think the men's game, as far as American men players, was a bit disappointing last year.," said ESPN tennis analyst Chris Evert on a recent conference call. "I think Ryan (Harrison) and even Jack Sock, Isner, these players - not to be too critical - but need that hard work ethic where they look and see how a Nadal trains, Djokovic and Federer and Ferrer."

The Australian Open begins on January 14th.

(Photo Credit: Corleve)