The tennis world has erupted into chaos after former ATP giant John Isner made a statement that no one saw coming. During a live interview on Tennis Channel’s post-tournament analysis, Isner was asked to comment on Valentin Vacherot’s stunning Shanghai Masters victory — and his answer lit a fire across the entire sport.
“Let’s be honest,” Isner said bluntly. “Vacherot’s win in Shanghai 2025 was more impressive than Raducanu’s US Open title. That’s the harsh truth. He beat seasoned top-10 players back-to-back without a coach, without a sponsor, and on pure grit. That’s something we don’t see anymore.” The moment the words left his mouth, social media exploded. Within minutes, fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram with outrage. Supporters of Emma Raducanu — the British sensation who stunned the world by winning the 2021 US Open as a qualifier — accused Isner of “disrespect,” “sexism,” and “attention-seeking.”
Isner, known throughout his career for his towering serve and no-nonsense attitude, didn’t back down. When pressed by the host to clarify, he doubled down on his comment. “Raducanu’s run was incredible, sure,” he said, “but she didn’t face the kind of opposition Vacherot did this week. He beat Medvedev, Sinner, and Tsitsipas in consecutive matches — that’s not luck, that’s dominance.”
The reaction was immediate and explosive. Within five minutes, Raducanu’s fanbase had mobilized, flooding the Tennis Channel’s comment section with calls to remove Isner from future broadcasts. Prominent British journalists labeled the remarks “tone-deaf and inflammatory,” while others argued that Isner had a point — igniting a fierce debate over which achievement truly deserved more respect.
Valentin Vacherot himself, the unexpected hero of Shanghai, tried to distance himself from the controversy. “I have the utmost respect for Emma,” he said in a calm statement. “She inspired players like me to dream big. I don’t want this debate to take away from either of us.” His diplomatic tone, however, did little to calm the storm.
Even current WTA players weighed in. Coco Gauff posted a cryptic message on X that read, “Comparisons kill appreciation,” while Ons Jabeur simply replied with a facepalm emoji. Meanwhile, several ATP players privately expressed support for Isner’s perspective, claiming the sport “often forgets how brutal the men’s circuit is.”
As the controversy grew, sponsors reportedly contacted Isner’s representatives, expressing concern over the backlash. Still, insiders close to the American say he has no plans to retract his statement. “John said what he believes,” a source close to him revealed. “He’s not the kind of guy who apologizes for honesty.”
By the end of the night, the tennis community was deeply divided — with one side calling Isner a truth-teller and the other branding him an out-of-touch provocateur.
And just when fans thought the dust was settling, rumors began circulating that Raducanu herself might address the issue in an upcoming BBC interview. If that happens, the next chapter of this drama could make Isner’s comments look tame in comparison.
