The US’s John Isner returns the ball to Australia’s John Millman during their men’s first round match at the Roland Garros 2016 French Tennis Open in Paris on May 23, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU
American number one John Isner said Tuesday that his decision not to play the Rio Olympics was influenced by the tournament not offering ranking points as much as his packed playing schedule.
Isner is one of four top 25 players in the world who will skip the Games in August which fall in the middle of the North American hardcourt season and in the build-up to the US Open.
The 17th-ranked Isner joins Austrian 15th seed Dominic Thiem, Bernard Tomic, the world number 22 from Australia and Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez, 23 in the rankings, in giving the Olympics a miss.
“The Olympics, it’s very tough on the schedule, especially with Davis Cup as well. We’re into the quarter-finals there,” said 31-year-old Isner.
“Davis Cup is still a very big goal of mine, to try to win this quarter-final match and possibly another home tie after that.
“With all the tournaments sandwiched pretty much around the Olympics, it made it tough for me to go down there.
“I think the fact that they have no points, to be honest, was a pretty big factor as well, that hindered me a bit.”