John Isner's memorable tennis career officially ended after his five-set loss to compatriot Michael Mmoh in the 2023 US Open on Thursday. The former had a simple four-word reaction in the days leading up to his retirement.

“I think I've overachieved,” Isner said on Friday. He never expected to play professional tennis for 17 years, but that's exactly what he did. Isner announced his impending retirement on social media last week.

John Isner had a rough year. His first-round triumph over Argentina's Facundo Diaz Acosta on Tuesday was his first and only major win of 2023.

Isner also said a nagging foot injury compromised his play on the tennis court. As the losses mounted, they they took a toll on him mentally and physically.

“I did want to play as long as I could. If my results were better this year, I probably wouldn't be speaking to you right now. That just hasn't been the case,” Isner said.

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John Isner won 16 singles titles and reached a career-best No. 8 in the ATP rankings in 2018. His 14,470 aces are the most in ATP history. He made tennis history when he and Nicolas Mahut played 11 hours over three days in their 2010 Wimbledon match.

Isner became the most prominent American male tennis player after Andy Roddick retired in 2012.  His younger compatriots Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe looked up to him when they played junior tennis. The latter feels an American will finally end the United States'20-year drought in men's singles competition in the US Open. Roddick was the last American to win the tournament in 2003.

John Isner made an indelible mark in tennis. We wish him well in his retirement years and life after tennis.