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By Alberto Amalfi
© ESPN

(July 15, 2010) John Isner and Nicolas Mahut took tennis to new heights in engaging in an epic 11 hour, 5-minute Wimbledon first-round match that made its mark as the longest match in tennis history. The euphoria and exhaustion of that experience has subsided a bit, but the record-setting match continues to command attention.

Last night, Isner endured a case of the bends in accepting the award for Best Record Breaking Performance at the 2010 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.

The 6-foot-9 Isner had to bend over to put his mouth near the microphone during his acceptance speech.

"I was gonna lift it up, but I can't," said Isner, who received the award from Olympic snow boarder Shaun White and skier Lindsey Vonn.

"I gotta say congrats to my opponent, Nicolas, he was an absolute warrior that day," Isner said. "You can't fathom a match going 70-68 in the fifth but somehow we did it. It was a pleasure to share the court with him that day."

The 18th-ranked Isner will return to tournament tennis next week at the Atlanta Tennis Championships.

Isner was one of four tennis players to take home trophies at the ESPYS.

Reigning US Open champion Kim Clijsters received the "Best Comeback" award. Roger Federer was awarded "Best Male Tennis Player." Serena Williams was honored as "Best Female Tennis Player."

Thirteen-time Grand Slam champ Serena was also up for Best Female Athlete, but was beaten out by Vonn.

Watch Isner's acceptance speech and its aftermath as actor Mark Wahlberg looks impressed by the appearance of Brooklyn Decker, Andy Roddick's wife.