John Isner happy to return to Auckland as he targets good start to 2019

American tennis star John Isner admits Auckland is a special place for him as the ASB Classic was the place where he captured his maiden ATP title. The 33-year-old debuted at the ASB Classic in 2009. A year later, the American won his first ATP title when he beat French Arnaud Clement in the 2010 Auckland final.

Isner is now set to make his eighth main draw appearance on the hard courts of Auckland. The American also made it all the way in Auckland five years ago when he beat Yen-Hsun Lu in the final. Isner, seeded at No. 1 in the Auckland draw will open his campaign from the round-of-16 against either Taylor Fritz or Marius Copil.

This was the site of my first ever ATP tournament win and everyone remembers their first tournament win, Isner said, per Stuff.co.nz. Ask Roger Federer, hell tell you exactly where he won his first tournament.

For me, it was Auckland in 2010 and ever since then Ive found myself coming back. 2018 Miami Masters champion Isner is eager to make a better start to the season this time. The American started slowly the 2018 season as he lost his openers in his first three tournaments of the season — the ASB Classic, Australian Open and New York Open.

I didnt have a great start to the year, so thats something that Ive focused on, to start the year better, world No. 10 Isner underlined. Also read: Nick Kyrgios added to star-studded Kooyong Classic player field