Retiring from Indian Wells in 2024, Steve Johnson spoke on Jannik Sinner. The American remembers their first clash, in Rome in 2019: “I felt good, even though I knew I wasn't playing my best tennis in Rome, I was confident.
I was scheduled on center court in the first round against a 17 year old. I hadn't heard anything about him, and I thought it would be a shame to lose this match.
I was a little nervous, but I easily won the first set 6-1. I made mistakes and played very badly in the second set which I lost. We went to the third set, I had opportunities to win it, but I lost it.
When I got to the locker room, I called my agent and told him I was retiring. I told him I lost to a 17 year old who was horrible.
My coach and my agent told me to give him time and that they were confident he would become a great player. I was convinced that he would win only one match in his life and that it would be against me. »
Johnson ends with a laugh: “I’m thrilled to see what a talent scout I am. The truth is, I could never have imagined that five years later I would be in the position I am today.
But I'm happy to be a footnote in tennis history because of this match. »
