Isner joins Nadal in growing Rio Open lineup

The Rio Open announced on Tuesday that John Isner has signed up for the 2016 event, joining Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a star-studded field. It now boasts four of the current top 11 players in the world.

Nadal confirmed his participation in October.

“The Rio Open is an important event on the tennis calendar in a special country,” he said. “I have developed a great relationship with the Brazilian public over the last two years and I love going back there.”

The fifth-ranked Spaniard won the title in 2014 before losing to Fabio Fognini in the semifinals this season.

Scheduled to run from February 15-21, the Rio Open coincides with Delray Beach and Marseille. Isner is making his debut in Rio, having previously always turned up in Delray Beach. The 6’10” American generally plays by far his best tennis in the United States, but Delray has never been a safe haven for him. Isner lost his opening match this year in straight sets to Marinko Matosevic and has never won the title or even reached a final.

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