I am very fortunate to be still playing

America’s big man John Isner considers himself fortunate to be still playing professional tennis despite being 37 years old. Isner is the oldest player in the top 100 as he is currently placed in the 42nd position in the ATP rankings.

Isner admitted he is in the twilight of his career but revealed he is feeling pretty good about his game. The American added he is really proud of playing his best against the younger players.

The 37-year-old revealed he loves to compete at the top level and wants to keep going for a few more seasons.

“I am still feeling pretty good. I know I am in the twilight of my career and a lot of players my age aren’t playing anymore, so I think I’m very fortunate to still be playing,” Isner said in an interview with ATP Tour.com. “I think I’m the oldest player in the Top 100, which is actually something I’m very proud of.”

Isner is hopeful of achieving some accolades this season and he wants to keep giving his best in the training sessions.

“I still like to compete, it keeps me going. I’d be lying to you if I told you I love all the work that goes in. Sometimes practice can get pretty monotonous, but I do love the training and off court I am just trying to get myself in a good spot to compete with players much younger than I am,” Isner said. “You can’t play tennis forever, so I want to try to make this last as long as possible. I am ready to achieve some really cool things this year.”

Isner has won 480 matches in his career and he wants to touch the 500-mark this season.

“I would love to get 500 wins,” Isner said. “I’ve never set performance goals for myself. I’ve always had the motto to work hard and take care of myself and let the results fall where they fall. But I would love to get to 500 wins,” John Isner said. “I think that’d be an amazing milestone for myself. Something I never could have imagined in a million years myself doing when I turned pro at 22 years old.”

Meanwhile, Isner lost to Gregoire Barrere in the opening round of the ASB Classic.