John Isner Shares ‘Controversial Take’ on Tennis Off-Season Which is ‘So Overrated’

After getting much-needed rest, several top players have started participating in the exhibition events.

John Isner Shares ‘Controversial Take’ on Tennis Off-Season Which is ‘So Overrated’

John Isner (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis)

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The tennis off-season started following the conclusion of the WTA and the ATP Finals. Some players, however, chose to play the Davis Cup Finals, which was held toward the end of November, the final match of which, between Spain and Italy, was wrapped up on the 23rd.

Many top players eagerly wait for the off-season as the long 11-month calendar doesn’t give them much respite during the weeks between tournaments. The 2026 tennis calendar is scheduled to start on January 2 at the United Cup.

In short, the off-season lasts for about 40 days, which many top players believe is not enough. Several players start to sign up for exhibition matches during the off-season. Amidst all these, former player John Isner gave his take on the off-season, explaining why he thinks it’s overrated.

This might be a controversial take, but the off-season is so overrated. Especially once you’ve sort of established yourself, when you get to your late 20s, you’re not re-inventing the wheel; you just need to maintain and keep yourself healthy. Obviously, be really professional, but you don’t need to absolutely kill yourself during the course of three weeks. Work hard, sleep well, eat well, and just get ready for the next year.

John Isner said on the Nothing Major podcast

Isner’s co-host, Sam Querrey, also gave his opinion on the subject. Querrey is not ready to believe in the existence of the tennis off-season, pointing out that after the year-end championships, the Davis Cup Final starts, and players also participate in exhibitions, plus there’s also the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS). He observed that players just rest for a week and then start to practice again.

If you’re 20 and you’re new on tour, yes, you need to get your body stronger. At the beginning of your career, the off-season is very important to get that base, but once you’ve established yourself, it’s about maintaining and keeping things smooth, taking care of yourself. Treatment becomes just as important as the gym work.

John Isner added

In the UTS final, Australia’s Alex de Minaur beat Norwegian ace Casper Ruud. In the Davis Cup Finals, Italy defended its crown for the second consecutive time, this time by defeating Spain.

Steve Johnson lauds Carlos Alcaraz for playing in exhibitions

Carlos Alcaraz has often faced criticism for his participation in exhibition events. Because he complains a lot about the hectic schedule, fans as well as former players call him out the moment he signs up for exhibitions. But Steve Johnson thinks Alcaraz’s decision is helping in the growth of tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

There will be guys who play 35 weeks a year, plus exhibitions. But there’s really no off-season; it’s good for the guys, like Carlos and these guys who have such a limited schedule compared to most because they win everything, to do these exhibitions, because I think it does grow the game immensely.

Steve Johnson said on the Nothing Major podcast

Ahead of the Australian Open, Alcaraz will lock horns with none other than his arch-rival, Jannik Sinner, in the Hyundai Card Super Match in Incheon, South Korea, on January 10.

Alcaraz recently locked horns with Joao Fonseca in the Miami exhibition match, where he defeated the Brazilian ace and also emerged victorious along with Jessica Pegula against the 19-year-old and Amanda Anisimova in mixed doubles.

The six-time Grand Slam champion, this year, finished the season with eight trophies from 11 finals, which also included two Majors- the French Open and the US Open– he won by defeating Sinner. Alcaraz also took home three Masters 1000s- the Monte Carlo Masters, Italian Open, and the Cincinnati Masters.

He also reached the championship clash of the ATP Finals, but failed to go past Sinner, who, with a straight-set victory, defended his crown, improving his head-to-head record to 6-10.

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