Isner's Roller Coaster Season Continues at Wimbledon

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Isner's Roller Coaster Season Continues at Wimbledon

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Getty Images

(June 25th, 2012) After a promising start to the year that included wins over Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the halfway point of John Isner's season is starting to feel like where he was about this time last year - stuck in neutral with no clue how to get his game back into gear.

Though his first round loss against Alejandro Falla at Wimbledon isn't a complete surprise considering Falla is a tough competitor and Isner's recent lackluster clay court season. The tennis media, especially in America, overhyped Isner's chances to be a darkhorse contender this year at the All-England Club. From being touted as Federer's biggest early round threat and being the subject of a cover story by Ed McGrogan of Tennis Magazine, Isner was projected to do something big during the fortnight even though he had only won two career matches at Wimbledon with both of those wins coming over Nicolas Mahut.

But while Isner's fearsome serve was considered to be his biggest weapon going into Wimbledon, his weak return game and an even more troubling self-professed lack of confidence appear to be the factors in his undoing today. Isner talked about that in his press conference afterwards saying, "I had my chances. It's just now I get out there sometimes and lately it's happening quite a lot (that) I'm just so clouded. I just can't seem to figure things out. I'm my own worst enemy out there. It's all mental for me, and it's pretty poor on my part."

Not exactly what one wants to hear from the man who has said he wants to bear the burden and the glory that comes with being the top-ranked American player. Isner's negative view on his game sounds very similar to how he sounded at the start of 2011 when he dropped out of the top 30 before turning his year around during the summer hardcourt season. Isner managed to regain his confidence and rode it to a quarterfinal appearance at the U.S. Open. But as many players will admit, confidence can be a fleeting thing and it may be that Isner might have, at least temporarily, lost hold of his despite earning some career best moments this year including his recent ranking of No. 9 in the world.

But while Isner tries to sort out his head in time for the Olympic Summer Games, the hype surrounding him will only continue. With Andy Roddick in the last stages of his career, and Mardy Fish back on the courts after his health scare, America's hopes will continue to rest on the big shoulders of Isner. Isner may very likely once again bounce back on the hardcourts but if you are a fan, you may do well to stock up on some Dramamine to fight off motion sickness because the lofty highs and crushing lows of Isner's roller coaster season look likely to continue for the rest of the year.