Steve Johnson Jr. (born December 24, 1989) is an American professional tennis player. For one week in August 2016 he was the top-ranked American in men's singles. He has a career-high singles ranking of world No. 21 achieved on July 25, 2016, and a doubles ranking of world No. 39 achieved on May 23, 2016. He has won four ATP Challenger Tour titles and four ATP Tour 250 titles, one at Nottingham on grass, twice at Houston on clay and most recently at Newport on grass. He won a bronze medal in men's doubles at the 2016 Olympics with fellow American Jack Sock.
Johnson played college tennis for the USC Trojans. He won the NCAA Men's Singles Championship in his junior and senior seasons (2011–2012), and he was a part of a Trojan team that won four consecutive NCAA Championships.
Personal life
His father, Steve Johnson Sr. (died May 11, 2017, aged 58), was a tennis coach at the Rancho San Clemente Tennis and Fitness Club, and his mother, Michelle, is a mathematics professor. His older sister, Alison, is a graduate of Sonoma State University. Johnson has credited his father with his success in tennis: "He taught me pretty much everything I know. Since I can remember, it's always been me and him out there hitting balls, having a blast. It's really been amazing. I wouldn't change anything." Growing up, he idolized Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. At USC, Johnson was coached by Peter Smith and majored in Human Performance, but left when he was three classes short of attaining his degree. Johnson hopes to complete his degree after his tennis career.
In July 2012, Johnson signed a clothing deal with Asics America and is represented by Sam Duvall at Lagardere Unlimited. He currently trains at the USTA Player Development Center West in Carson, California. Johnson is currently working with the USTA and travels with other Americans. His personal coach is Craig Boynton, who is a USTA national coach for men's tennis. The team of Dustin Taylor and Rodney Marshall also help Steve hone his skills at the development center.
Johnson is a fan of the Anaheim Ducks.
Steve Johnson married Kendall Bateman at Maravilla Gardens in Camarillo, Ventura County in Southern California on April 21, 2018. Kendall is a former Trojan volleyball player.
Junior tennis
Johnson's dad served as his coach in his early career. Johnson won four consecutive 18-under national team titles, becoming the first player in tournament history to be a member of four championship teams. Johnson contributed to a 6–1 victory over Texas in the 2005 final, a 6–1 triumph over Southern in 2006 and clinched Southern California's 4–3 win the next year over Southern. Some of Johnson's junior accomplishments include being the 2008 Kalamazoo Doubles finalist and winning the 2008 Southern California Sectional Boys 18 championship in straight sets over JT Sundling. This marked his fourth Sectionals title and near a clean sweep of all age divisions having won the 12s, 14s and 16s. He also has the distinction of being the only player to win the Triple Crown, singles and two doubles—twice. He also won nine Gold Balls. He was ranked the third-rated California senior tennis recruit (7th overall) in the country according to TennisRecruiting.net. Johnson clinched the title for Southern California at the 2007 Junior Davis Cup.