Consommate pro Steve Johnson looks back with pride as career ends: "Never felt like I cheated the game of tennis"
ATP
America’s former tennis player Steve Johnson has stated that
he is retiring from the sport with a satisfaction that he never cheated the
sport.
The 34-year-old’s journey in professional tennis came to an
end as he lost in the qualifiers of the Indian Wells. Talking about how he felt
while quitting the game, Johnson stated that he took that decision with his
head held high.
“I think at the end of the day, I’m most proud of the way I
was a competitor,” he said. “Never felt like I cheated the game of tennis.
Never felt like I left anything up to question. If there was something in my
power to do, I did it. I hope when competitors were going over their game plan
to play me, their coach would have said, ‘From first ball to last ball, he’s
gonna fight you for it.’”
Talking about his immediate objectives after retiring from
tennis, Johnson stated that he is going to take some time off.
“The decision to retire here was super easy,” he said. “I
grew up coming here as a kid forever. For me, this was always home and its
where I wanted to kind of end. I’m very lucky, not everyone gets that
opportunity to do it on their terms.
“For now, I’m going to take some time off. Not go to the gym
as much. Switch it up, do a lot more pick-ups, drop offs at school. Maybe some
more play dates in our future.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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