John Isner to partner Venus Williams at Hopman Cup

Written by: Staff on 24th September 2012

John Isner to partner Venus Williams at Hopman Cup

epa03381243 John Isner, of the United States, hits a return to Philipp Kohlschreiber, of Germany, during their third round match at the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, Meadows, New York, USA, 02 September 2012. The US Open Championship runs through 09 September 2012. EPA/JUSTIN LANE |

(Courtesy of the ITF: http://www.itftennis.com/about/news/articles/isner-to-partner-venus-williams-at-hopman-cup.aspx)

The line-up for the Hyundai Hopman Cup keeps getting stronger with news that John Isner and Venus Williams will join forces to play for Team USA in next year’s event, which is being staged at the Perth Arena for the first time.

Isner, the current world No. 10, and Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, will make a formidable partnership when the mixed teams competition gets under way from 29 December-5 January.

“I’ve never played the Hopman Cup, so for me it’s going to be a wonderful experience,” said Williams. “I’ve watched it literally every year on TV so now I get to play, I’m very excited.”

With 43 career titles to her name, Williams has enjoyed a recent resurgence to form following a comeback from illness. She won her fourth Olympic gold medal by partnering her sister, Serena, to victory in the women’s doubles event at London 2012 and she also won the Wimbledon doubles title alongside her sibling this summer.

Isner, who has made two previous Hopman Cup appearances, is looking forward to playing with WIlliams and not just because of her tennis skills.

“My previous two partners have been very, very small. But Venus is a little taller so I’m not going to look like such a giant out there,” joked the 206cm-tall American men’s No. 1. “For me it’s [Hopman Cup] the perfect way to start the year. It has the pressure of matches but then it’s not exactly an ATP tournament.”

The addition of Isner and Williams will do wonders for the event, which can already boast another two Grand Slam champions confirmed to play in the shape of Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic as well as Australia’s Bernard Tomic.

“Confirming both Venus and John is a major coup for Hyundai Hopman Cup and we look forward to welcoming them to Perth,” said event director Steve Ayles. “With two highly competitive teams – Serbia and USA – confirmed, Hyundai Hopman Cup is shaping up to be a great event.”