Jannik Sinner, Steve Johnson tell a sensational back story

Steve Johnson tells a sensational backstory on Jannik Sinner

During a talk on the well-known podcast "Nothing Major" in the company of John Isner and Jack Sock, former U.S. tennis player Steve Johnson told a sensational backstory regarding his first meeting with Jannik Sinner at the 2019 Internazionali d'Italia. In addition, the former world No. 21 did not hide his amazement at the exponential growth the South Tyrolean has had over the past six years.

"It was the first round of the Internazionali in Rome in 2019, that was only the third match at the ATP level for Sinner, he was 17 years old. At first I felt a little bit nervous about playing on the Central against an Italian, then I was faced with a very skinny kid and I knew I had to win" began the former American tennis player.

"I won the first set easily (6-1). I didn’t even know who Jannik was, I thought it would be embarrassing to lose that match. I played horribly in the second set and lost it badly (1-6). We got to the third set, where I had a chance to win, but in the end it è got out of hand" continued the former world number 21.

"When I got to the locker room I called my agent and told him to cancel my next commitments, I wanted to retire from tennis. I could not accept the shame of losing to Sinner. I told him I had been defeated by a 17-year-old kid who sucked and that it was something terrible" added the Orange native.

"My agent and coach kept telling me to give Jannik time, that he was a player destined for greatness. I, on the other hand, was convinced that this kid would get nowhere and that after beating me he would never again win a single game. I am glad that I enhanced his talent. I never thought he would win any Slams or become the best player in the world by a long shot. I am happy to be a footnote on more than one page of the career of such a strong tennis player. And then who knowsà maybe if he had not beaten me his life would have taken a different turn and maybe he would still be playing Challengers" Steve Johnson&quoted.