While adding four ATP titles to his bag, Steve Johnson has also reached the world No. 21 ranking during his competitive journey on the men’s tour. The American tennis star’s on-court performances and accolades have etched his position in the top echelons of the game. However, the 34-year-old player’s remarkable success on the tennis circuit isn’t the fruit of his labor alone.
Toiling behind the American player had been his father, Steve Johnson Sr., who put a racket in his son’s hands when he was a two-year-old kid. The ATP player had a close bond with his father, who supported him in every step of his competitive tennis journey. Steve was therefore shocked by his father’s passing, as he later also struggled with mental health issues.
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Steve Johnson has struggled internally after his father’s passing
Back in May 2017, the American tennis star was at LAX when his phone rang with an incoming call from his mother. Steve Johnson, who was assuming that his mom just wanted to wish him a safe flight, was in shock after picking up the call as he received dreadful news. The ATP player’s father had died in his sleep at the age of 58 due to a heart attack.
Though he was still struggling to process the sudden death of his father, Steve carried on with his season, traveling to Switzerland for the Geneva Open a week after that tragic episode. The American also participated in the French Open, where he couldn’t hold back his emotions as he burst into tears before saying, “I just miss dad. I wish he was following along – I know he is from upstairs – but it’s just so emotional, it’s hard to describe.”
After overcoming Borna Coric in the second round of the Roland-Garros, Steve also said, “I didn’t know that feeling was going to come out of me after that match.” Johnson Sr., who used to train his son at his own tennis club, was also often there in the stands to watch the ATP player’s matches on the tour, including his first triumph in Nottingham, England. After that sudden loss, the former world No. 21 player struggled internally throughout the remainder of that season.
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However, Johnson put on a strong face and assured everyone that he was doing fine as he continued to mark his participation in different tournaments before he eventually decided to speak to a professional about his mental health issues that also hindered his matches.
