dˈʊɹɹɪŋ ðə tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪks sˈiːzən, ˈɪsmeɪl hæd hɪz deɪbjˈuː æz ɐ kˈoʊtʃ ɪn ɡɹˈænd slˈæm tˈʊɹnəmənts, kˈoʊtʃɪŋ sˈeɪniə mˈɜːzə dˈʊɹɹɪŋ ðə fɹˈɛntʃ ˈoʊpən ænd wˈɪmbəldən.
During the 2006 season, Ismail had his debut as a coach in Grand Slam tournaments, coaching Sania Mirza during the French Open and Wimbledon.