Steve Johnson admits he was so embarrassed over losing to a 17-year-old Jannik Sinner that he called his agent to inform him about contemplating a retirement from tennis.
Johnson, a former four-time ATP champion, drew Sinner in the 2019 Rome Masters first round. At the time, the Italian was ranked at No. 263 in the world and got a chance to make his Masters debut after the Rome organizers handed him a wildcard.
Going into the match, Johnson - who was a well-established ATP player - entered as the clear favorite against a 17-year-old teenager. But while the American started the match strongly, he still ended up bounced after Sinner stormed back to win 1-6 6-1 7-5 and register his first Masters win at the age of 17.
"I called my agent, and Im like, I just lost to this kid, he sucks, hes terrible. Im literally quitting tennis for the rest of your life,'" Johnson recalled on the Nothing Major Show.
Johnson recounts: This is never going to make it anywhere...
During a conversation with his agent but also some other coaches, Johnson was told that Sinner would be the next big thing. However, the former four-time ATP champion wasn't convinced.
I started talking to my agent, a couple of the other coaches, theyre like, Give it time. This kid is going to be unreal.' Im like, You guys are so stupid, this guy is never going to make it anywhere. Hes going to have one win, and its going to be me. This is never going to change,'" the 35-year-old American recounted.
After the Rome loss, Johnson stayed in pro tennis for five more years before retiring at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters.
On the other side, Sinner's major success is well-documented as he is 24 now and a four-time Grand Slam champion, as well as a former world No. 1.
