Before John Isner settles in for his final push ahead of the new ATP World Tour campaign, he spent time on Thursday in New York — the home of the inaugural New York Open from 11-18 February — where he participated in two clinics for more than 100 local kids and attended the Brooklyn Nets game against the New York Knicks.

“It’s one of the most important things us professional players can do as pros, to give back,” said Isner, who will be playing in the New York tournament. “I want to see tennis in a healthier spot 10 years from now when I’m done playing than it is now. You want to give back as much as you can.”

However, Isner is still very much a contender on the ATP World Tour. And for a moment, his 2017 season appeared destined for a dream ending. But suddenly it came to a halt. 

The 6’10” American saved a match point in the Round of 16 at the Rolex Paris Masters to upset eventual Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov before beating arguably the hottest player on the ATP World Tour, Juan Martin del Potro, in the quarter-finals. Isner was just two wins away from clinching his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and with that his first berth in the season finale at The O2. But despite winning six more points than his opponent, his year came to an end in a stunning semi-final defeat at the hands of world No. 77 Filip Krajinovic in a third-set tie-break.

“I did finish the year well but I also finished on a very, very tough loss, so that was tough to get over,” Isner admitted. “It took some time, but I did know I had some more important things in my life to look forward to outside of tennis so [I was] very happy to put that behind me.”

In fact, he had one of the highlights of his life to look forward to: Isner got married to Madison McKinley on 2 December.

“Standing up there and saying our vows was pretty surreal,” Isner said. “When we got engaged, you picture that moment but you can’t put yourself in that situation. It’s sort of like practising for tennis. You can practise, practise, practise. But when it comes time to play a big match, you can’t really replicate that at all.”

It was a spectacular moment for the No. 17 player in the Emirates ATP Rankings, who was thrilled to have friends and family — many from his tennis ‘family’ including Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson and others — attend in South Carolina. “The wedding was amazing; it was honestly the most amazing wedding I’ve ever been to and will probably ever go to,” Querrey said.

Isner believes that entering the new season as a married man will only help his performance on the court.

“I’m a lot happier now being married than I was even being engaged,” Isner said. “I think that’s a good thing so I try to keep that in perspective — that I’m a happily married man and just enjoying that aspect of my life. It’s a very big step, so I think for my tennis career it’s going to be a boon for sure.”

And while the newlyweds spent a week in Mustique — a small island that is part of the Grenadines — for their honeymoon, it is back to work for Isner as he prepares for 2018.

“I do feel like I’m a little bit behind, but obviously I’ve had some more important things to take care of,” Isner said. “I haven’t been on the court as much as I would like but I don’t feel like I’m too rusty and I’ve stayed in good shape. That’s the most important thing for me every offseason — to keep getting stronger, get my body feeling better and I think I’ve done that very well so far, so I’ve just got to focus on the tennis.”

And despite a devastating season-ending loss for Isner, he did accomplish one major goal: the right-hander finished the season inside the Top 20 for the eighth consecutive year. The American also led the ATP World Tour in aces (1,123) for the fifth time since 2010.

“I think that [finishing in the Top 20] is something that can motivate me for 2018 as well. To really keep putting together these consistent results is pretty impressive in my opinion,” Isner said. “I want to keep doing that, but I do believe I can do even better than that as well.”

The 32-year-old, who made three Masters 1000 semi-finals this year, can do that by getting off to a fast start — he did not win back-to-back matches until May in 2017. But Isner is not putting extra pressure on himself to rocket up the Emirates ATP Rankings immediately. 

“If I have some good results, yeah, my ranking could go up,” Isner said. “But I need to be consistent throughout the whole year.”

Isner will be able to make strides toward that with a strong performance early in the year at the new ATP World Tour 250 event on Long Island: the New York Open.

“I think it’s very cool. It’s going to be a very unique venue. It’s going to be much more intimate in February versus September in Flushing Meadows,” Isner said. “I think the players love coming to the city. I do as well. So I think this event is going to be awesome and can’t wait to get it going in February.”

Continuing our Season In Review Series, ATPWorldTour.com revisits the biggest ATP World Tour comebacks of 2017:

5-tie. Novak Djokovic d. Fernando Verdasco 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 – Doha SF
          Borna Coric d. Philipp Kohlschreiber 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 – Marrakech F

Five for five at No. 5. A pair of five-match point saving thrillers kick off our list, with both Novak Djokovic and Borna Coric rallying from a set and a break down to dramatically escape from the jaws of defeat. 

For Djokovic, the drama played out in Doha at the season-opening Qatar ExxonMobil Open, where he dodged five match points against Fernando Verdasco in a second-set tie-break. The Serbian, who was No. 2 in the Emirates ATP Rankings at the time, was seeking a strong start to 2017 after relinquishing the top spot to Andy Murray to conclude the 2016 season. He would go on to lift the trophy, defeating Murray in the final, but his hopes were nearly extinguished in the semis. 

Verdasco led 6-4, 2-0, but Djokovic would conjure one of his vintage moments of magic, breaking back for 4-all in the second set and eventually forcing a tie-break. There, he erased four straight match points from 2/6 down – and another at 6/7 with a rifled return at Verdasco’s feet – to level the encounter. He would not look back from there, breaking twice in the decider to cross the finish line. It marked the third time Djokovic erased five match points in his career. He also did it against Murray in 2012 and against Florent Serra in 2009.

“It was quite a thrilling experience for me to be able to go five match points down… I’m obviously very pleased because you need these kind of matches, these kind of confidence boosters, for whatever is coming up after that,” Djokovic said. “He had three out of five match points with his serve, and three, four of the five match points he had a forehand to finish it off and he didn’t.”

While Djokovic has accumulated a history of mesmerising escapes during his 15-year career, Coric experienced his first bout of heart-stopping drama on a sun-kissed afternoon in Marrakech. You always remember your first ATP World Tour title and this was one that the Croatian will certainly never forget.

His final opponent Philipp Kohlschreiber had endured heartbreak just six weeks prior in Dubai, when he squandered seven match points against Andy Murray in the quarter-finals, and it would follow him from Asia to Africa. In search of his eighth ATP World Tour crown, the German would concede a set and a break lead on two occasions as Coric refused to go down quietly.

The drama would hit a jaw-dropping crecendo with the #NextGenATP star serving to stay in the match at 6-5 in the second set, denying five championship points. Exhibiting his steely resolve, he punched a dipping volley winner to turn aside the second match point and later fired a clutch service winner to deny the fifth. He would eventually navigate to the finish line 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 after two hours and 38 minutes, lifting his first ATP World Tour trophy.

“I would say that’s my biggest comeback, I’ve never saved five match points,” said Coric. “Especially in such an important match, I served very well in the big points. It’s an awesome feeling.”

4. Jack Sock d. Kyle Edmund 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5) – Paris 2R

Jack Sock had one foot on a plane heading home to the United States. Trailing 1-5 in the deciding set against Kyle Edmund in the second round of the Rolex Paris Masters, his season was over. A long break filled with rest and relaxation was in the cards. In other words, it was time for some golf.

That’s how the script was written. But the 25-year-old had a plot twist that no one saw coming. Not even Sock himself had foreseen what would transpire over the next 30 minutes – and subsequent five days.

The Nebraska native completed one of the most dramatic sprints to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in tournament history, storming back from the 1-5 deficit to stun Edmund and less than a week later hoisting the Paris trophy. With the Brit just one game from victory, Sock would turn the match around in a flash, reeling off 19 of the next 22 points to permanently shift momentum and kick off a chain reaction that led to him seizing his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy and a trip to The O2.

“I should have been out first round here, in my first match, so I’m kind of just playing with house money now as you’d say,” said Sock. “I’m just enjoying it.”

Sock had entered the week in Paris at No. 24 in the Emirates ATP Race To London, before opening his bid with the Edmund victory. Another comeback would ensue against Fernando Verdasco from a set down, followed by a third escape act from a set deficit against Filip Krajinovic in the final. Sock would not only punch his ticket to London, but qualified for the semi-finals on debut.

Most Match Points Saved En Route To 2017 Title

3. Albert Ramos-Vinolas d. Andy Murray 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 – Monte-Carlo 3R

Albert Ramos-Vinolas had his back against the wall. Trailing top seed Andy Murray 0-4 in the deciding set of their Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters third round encounter, the Spaniard knew that a comeback would require something special.

“The most normal thing would be to lose the match,” said Ramos-Vinolas. “But today is one of those days that sometimes happens. I still fought. I was fighting. I was 0-4, and I thought that I need to keep playing every point. Then, at the end, I won. I don’t know what to say.”

That something special would come in the form of a stunning 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory, as the relentless Spaniard began to pierce holes in Murray’s defensive armoury, aided by an aggressive change in tactics. With his forehand suddenly finding openings in the court, Ramos-Vinolas flipped the third set in his favour in a flash. Blink and you missed it.

The World No. 24 reeled off seven of the last eight games, breaking Murray three times for the emotional victory. It was Ramos-Vinolas’ first win over a World No. 1, having entered the match with a 1-12 record against Top 5 opponents. The victory moved him into his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 quarter-final and he would eventually reach the title match, falling to countryman Rafael Nadal. One week later, Murray and Ramos-Vinolas met again on the clay of Barcelona, and this time it was the Scot who rallied from a set deficit to prevail.

2. Gael Monfils d. Kei Nishikori 6-7(4), 7-5, 7-6(6) – Montreal 2R

It’s been nearly four months since Gael Monfils dramatically saved four match points to edge Kei Nishikori at the Rogers Cup. And most fans still can’t pick their jaws off the floor.

Monfils produced the stunning comeback in typical Monfils fashion, striking a pair of clutch, mesmerising hot shots in the deciding tie-break, en route to the second round victory. The Frenchman was a hot shot machine with his back against the wall on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, energising the Montreal faithful as he plotted his comeback from 2-5 down in the second set and 3-5 down in the third. Nishikori served for the match three times and Monfils had an answer on each occasion.

And with the Japanese one point from victory at 6/3 in the third-set tie-break, Monfils nailed a down-the-line backhand that kissed the sideline. Moments later, he muscled a down-the-line forehand winner from deep behind the baseline to stave off his fourth consecutive match point. In front of an electric atmosphere on Banque Nationale Court, the Frenchman converted the first match point of his own with a blasted forehand winner down the line.

“It’s a good victory for many reasons,” said Monfils. “It’s a big revenge, because last year around this time I had the same thing actually against Kei. I was up 6/2 in the tie-break in the [Rio] Olympics quarter-finals and I lost the tie-break. So I know exactly how he feels. Also, last year, a bit before, I played him in Miami. I also had five match points and I lost it 7-6 in the third. I’m more than happy because I fought through the toughness, because it was tough for me. It was a bit like a rollercoaster.”

The victory was even more special considering it was Monfils’ first in his FedEx ATP Head2Head series against Nishikori, improving to 1-3. It also marked the first time he had rallied from a set down against a Top 10 opponent in seven years.

1. Andy Murray d. Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-7(4), 7-6(18), 6-1 – Dubai QF

Philipp Kohlschreiber was one point from securing the 400th match win of his career at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. But for Andy Murray, there was no room for sentiment on a Thursday evening at The Aviation Club. Murray denied Kohlschreiber’s milestone quest with a history-making performance of his own, saving seven match points in a marathon 31-minute second set tie-break. 

The World No. 1 dodged knockout blow after knockout blow in the 38-point record-tying tie-break, won by Murray 20/18. It equaled five other epic tie-breaks of the same score since such scores were first kept in 1991.

Kohlschreiber got off to a fast start, pushing Murray from corner to corner and striking winner after winner. After taking the opener, he would continue to grab the upper hand in the second. But a Murray moment of brilliance in the ensuing tie-break would turn the tide. Down match point at 8/9, he managed to cut an audacious forehand drop shot to spin past the tramlines and a bewildered Kohlschreiber (see below). Heavy serving and aggressive play fended off a further six match points and he would force a decider after an 84-minute set. Murray would go on to prevail 6-7(4), 7-6(18), 6-1.

“It’s obviously a special match to win because of how it went,” said Murray. “I’ll probably never play another tie-break like that again. I have been playing on the tour for 11, 12 years now, and nothing’s been close to that.

“There were definitely some unbelievable points in that second set tie-break, but in general I think the level was extremely high. He was hitting the ball so hard tonight from both sides. Any time he had the opportunity, he was ripping the ball and made it really, really tough.”

It was the second-most match points saved in a tour-level match this year. Malek Jaziri edged Reilly Opelka 5-7, 7-6(14), 6-1 in Atlanta, saving eight match points. 

Murray went on to win the Dubai title, defeating Fernando Verdasco in the final. It was his lone crown of the 2017 season, which was cut short due to a hip injury in July.

One of the best tournaments in the world will continue to improve, as Tournament Director Tommy Haas has announced a full-scale beautification project ahead of the 2018 BNP Paribas Open. This year, the event won Tournament of the Year honours along with Acapulco and Doha at the 2017 ATP World Tour Awards presented by Moët and Chandon.

“Year after year, we strive to continually improve and enhance the overall fan experience at the tournament,” Haas said. “This year, we are focusing on what makes our event unique – the unparalleled beauty and scenery of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Our team cannot wait to welcome tennis fans from around the world to tennis paradise and showcase the physical beauty and majesty of the venue in ‘Full Bloom’ like never before.”

Indian Wells will add 62 palm trees, two fountains, floral installations, pavers, plants and greenery throughout the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The tournament will also be more than doubling the size of the Stadium 1 video walls on the north and south sides of the court. 

It was also recently announced that the 2017 BNP Paribas Open generated an estimated total gross economic impact on the Coachella Valley regional economy of over $406 million. 

The first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the season will take place from 8-18 March, with Roger Federer attempting to retain his title. In 2017, the ninth seed captured the trophy without dropping a set, including victories over the year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka.

“We believe that coupled with the extensive renovations and world-class dining amenities added prior to the 2017 event, tennis fans won’t be able to find a more enjoyable experience anywhere in the world,” Haas said.

It’s normally the return, but this season it was the serve that carried Rafael Nadal back to the pinnacle of our sport. Nadal finished 2017 as World No. 1 for the fourth time in his career. An Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis of his service patterns reveals a key change that took him from personal worst-to-first marks from 2016 to 2017.

The Spaniard finished first on tour with second serve points won this season at 61.5 per cent (1076/1749), recording his personal best in this specific metric since emerging onto the tour in 2003. It’s a remarkable improvement, considering he won a career low (tied with 2004) 54 per cent in 2016.

Nadal’s second serve dominance in 2017 came from mixing it around the service box much more than normal, especially in the deuce court. The strategy was specifically to surprise opponents by serving to their stronger forehand return, and also catch them sliding left anticipating a serve to the backhand. The serve went right a whole lot more this year, and it worked a treat.

Masters 1000 & Nitto ATP Finals
Deuce Court Second Serve Location – 2016 & 2017

For example, at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events and the Nitto ATP Finals this season, Nadal hit 86 second serves out wide in the deuce court. Last season, he attempted only four to the same location.

Masters 1000 & Nitto ATP Finals
Deuce Court Second Serve Points Won – 2016 & 2017

Nadal’s commitment to hit more wide second serves in the deuce court was well rewarded, as he had the highest win percentage (64 per cent) there than in any other location.

In the Ad court, Nadal predictably served primarily at the body, and had the highest win percentage out wide, at 64.4 per cent.

View Nadal’s Serve Tendencies at the Serve & Return Tracker

Nadal won an impressive 74 per cent (2755/3721) of his first serve points in 2017, which was only one per cent lower than his personal best performances in this area in 2010 and 2012. He hit 286 aces this season, which was his second highest total after hitting 310 back in 2010.

Nadal’s renaissance back to No. 1 this season speaks of rounding out his game more, and getting inside his opponent’s head to figure out what they are expecting, and switching it.