“I was convinced that he would win only one match in his life”

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. »