US Airways - July 2012 - (Page 23)

explore Adventure Time to Play Home-Court Advantage Home does a body good — especially if that body is six-foot-nine John Isner. By Lucinda Hahn photos (top) courtesy of the Winston-salem open; (bottom) getty images ★ A year ago, John Isner was barely a household name — in his own household, as the saying goes. Sure, he’d had a hot minute of fame during Wimbledon in 2010, when he won the longest match ever. But ever since, Isner’s play had been unremarkable. When his agents called corporate executives to drum up sponsorship deals, the exchange typically went: “Isner. You know, the guy who won the longest match ever, at Wimbledon?” “Oh, the tall guy?” Yes, the tall guy was in danger of becoming a footnote, a player known only for his six-foot-nine frame and that historic 11-hour endurance test he survived over three days at Wimbledon, finally beating Nicolas Mahut 70–68 in the fifth set. Then, last August, Isner (pronounced IZ-ner) came home. A new tournament emerged — the Winston-Salem Open, just 30 minutes from Isner’s hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina. Isner signed up — and eschewed the players’ hotel for more familiar digs: the house he’d grown up in. He barbecued with his parents between matches and slept in his old bedroom. Fueled by home cooking and the home-court advantage, he beat American star Andy Roddick in the semifinals in straight sets, then won the final. That triumph would be Isner’s breakout win, launching his steady trajectory into the tennis stratosphere. Soon after, Isner scored wins over racket royalty Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic; led the U.S. team to Above, the thrill of victory; below, a quick return usairwaysmag.com JULY 2012 23 http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - July 2012

US Airways - July 2012
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Best Beaches
Wine & Dine: Table to Farm
Adventure: Home-Court Advantage
Great Escapes: Mayan Adventure
Destination Fabulous
Gear Up: Activate!
London Calling
Room with a View
Chefs Tell: Water's Edge
Charlotte in 2012
Best of Health
Flying High in North Carolina
Charlotte U.S.A.: From Crackers to Gelato
University Spotlight: Grand Canyon University
Must Read: Better, Stronger, Faster
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace™
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - July 2012