The Big Dawg wins … finally!
John Isner a winner again. (Associated Press)
A master of understatement, former UGA tennis great John Isner summed up how he felt after his marathon match against France’s Nicolas Mahut by saying with a grin that he was “a little bit tired.”
After playing the record-breaking match lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes, it’s a wonder either of them could even stand, much less endure the award presentation and stilted interviews the All England Club put them through at the end. Isner graciously praised his opponent as “an absolute warrior,” and Mahut said “John deserved to win. … He is a champion.”
And then, as if they hadn’t been through enough, they were dragged down to the scoreboard to pose for pictures! Wimbledon was really milking this one.
This wasn’t pretty tennis. It was grind-’em-out, back and forth. But in the end Isner won it with a couple of fine shots.
The overwhelming impression, though, was of the two players’ determination. Isner truly lived up to his Bulldog heritage.
You know Manny Diaz and Dan Magill must be wearing the biggest smiles imaginable.
Congratulations, John. Woof woof!
UPDATE: It was great seeing Isner sporting that red vintage Georgia Bulldog T-shirt in his post-match TV appearances!
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68 comments Add your comment
Daniel#12
June 24th, 2010
4:58 pm
It figures. Longest match in tennis history and it takes a fighting Bulldog to win it. Think this record will last for a long time
Delbert D.
June 24th, 2010
5:09 pm
The guy should get an automatic invite to Marine Force Recon, Navy Seals or Special Forces.
oledawg
June 24th, 2010
5:45 pm
John wasn’t the only one who played like a Bulldog. We should be magnanimous in our pride and congratulatory mood to extend an honorary Bulldog Award to Mahut.
Isner…You da Dawg!! You make us proud through your Bulldog spirit and your continual approbation
toward your University and your Dawg heritage.
GaDawg
June 24th, 2010
5:58 pm
Truth
June 24th, 2010
2:32 pm
Why cannot this winner (great job!) simply be an American? I’m very happy for Isner, but come on….. who else but the ajc would label him the ‘college’ grad? Will he be a 75 year old man and still be referred to as a uga grad? Give me a break! Does this mean he has done nothing else throughout his life?
Can you NOW refer to him as a Wimbleton match winner rather than uga grad?
In Truth, he is all of the above!!! In Truth, when they lay him to rest, at a ripe old age, he will be a UGA graduate. In Truth, that is part of who he is, and part of who he always will be!!! In Truth, his UGA degree, and the friendships he forged during the pursuit of it, have provided him with stepping stones to success that will be with him throughout his life. If you ask him, I have no doubt that he will be proud to tell you that he is a UGA graduate!!!
DILLIGAF
June 24th, 2010
8:00 pm
Damn Good Dawg!
Congrats!
UGA/85
Big Boys Dont Cry !
June 24th, 2010
8:02 pm
Can the Dawgs just win big in the big three sports instead of the tiddly winks sports ? Tennis , gym, swimming and underwater basket weaving just dont get it.
gadawg
June 24th, 2010
9:10 pm
You should notice, Truth, that he wore a Georgia Bulldog t-shirt during his interview. ESPN called him a Bulldog. It’s not just the AJC.
Willis
June 24th, 2010
10:31 pm
Hey Bill-
I don’t know if you’ve seen this site, but it’s interesting. It tracks state of Georgia records.
Washaun Ealey’s at the top of the list for most career rushing td’s, and most in a season.
As a matter of fact, Ealey’s in pretty rare company with the top 3 list of all-time state of Georgia high school RB’s who’ve scored the most td’s in a season.
#3 is Herschel Walker.
#2 is Darius Walker.
#1 is Washaun Ealey.
Get this kid the ball.
Anyways, here’s the site:
http://ghsfha.org/records.php?gRecID=3
Willis
June 24th, 2010
10:52 pm
Bill-
One other incredible feat by Ealey.
Herschel Walker got 86 td’s in high school, still top 10 all-time.
Washaun Ealey got 133 td’s in high school, #1 all-time, records going back to 1950.
Walker- 86 td’s
Ealey- 133 td’s
http://ghsfha.org/records.php?gRecID=4
guy
June 24th, 2010
11:58 pm
tim tebow: 95 passing touchdowns, 62 rushing touchdowns. = 157 HS touchdowns.
also, a heisman and 2 crystal footballs.
awesomedawgisner
June 25th, 2010
6:46 am
NewnanDawg……..I just wanted to see what it would look like.
Buckhead Bulldog
June 25th, 2010
7:30 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPxVZG8iEXk
Sic’ ‘en Dogs! Woof woof
St Simons
June 25th, 2010
7:46 am
Nesbitt for Heisman!
Paddy
June 25th, 2010
9:45 am
guy….this is for Georgia folks. We don’t care about tebow and fla.
N.dog
June 25th, 2010
10:08 am
He took all of that time to lick a frenchman, man please. Congrats anyway
Jake
June 25th, 2010
10:13 am
Scout say Ealey with be a phenom in 2010.
Phil Steele has Ealey on his Heisman long shot list.
Everybody but Richt seems to be excited about Ealey.
PDawg
June 25th, 2010
10:47 am
Looks like his 15 minutes are up…Isner lost today! Oh Well….
OrlG8r
June 25th, 2010
11:59 am
Great Victory, John…. When I saw the headline Dawg and Win, I knew it had nothing to do with football…