This has been a memorable week on tour in which Ben Shelton remains the home favourite in the men\u2019s draw while the WTA<\/a> welcomed back former world number one Venus Williams<\/a> after a 16-month absence.<\/p>\n As the respective Citi Open <\/a>finals approach, John Isner<\/a> reflects on his time playing on home soil in America\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n The Citi Open crowd showed how passionate they are for tennis with the packed crowds and electric atmosphere.<\/p>\n Venus Williams has since thanked the D.C. spectators<\/a> for their support following her second round loss to Magdalena Frech.<\/p>\n During the latest episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Isner looked back on when he played at the Citi Open, where he is a three-time runner-up.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n He also praised the crowd and the traditional nature of the tournament, which was first held in 1969. However, there was one aspect of the tournament that Isner did not like, which has since been changed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the crowd is full in that stadium. It\u2019s kind of small. It feels like they\u2019re right on top of you. I like the atmosphere there. They\u2019re a passionate tennis fan base in that city,\u201d Isner said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I just think playing on that center court when it\u2019s full, it was classic. The scoreboard is old school because the tournament\u2019s been there forever, right? I liked when they updated the locker rooms, the old locker room was shocking.\u201d<\/p>\n Isner advanced to the Citi Open final on three occasions, the first of which came back in 2007.<\/p>\n That year Isner, who was in his rookie season, faced Andy Roddick<\/a> for the title and the 2003 US Open champion claimed a 6-4, 7-6 win and lifted the Citi Open trophy for the third time.<\/p>\n Six years later Isner took on Juan Martin del Potro<\/a> in the final, and despite taking the first set the former top 10 player succumbed to a 3\u20136, 6\u20131, 6\u20132 defeat.<\/p>\n Isner\u2019s final appearance in the Citi Open championship match came in 2015 against Japan\u2019s Kei Nishikori<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-1015519418-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Mitchell Layton\/Getty ImagesJohn Isner praises the Washington Open crowd but says the old locker rooms were \u2018shocking\u2019<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-175579344-1024x736.jpg\")
Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD\/AFP via Getty ImagesWho did John Isner face each of his Washington Open finals?<\/p>\n