Steve Johnson reveals: “Roger Federer was the toughest player to face”

We’ve looked at everything from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Every feature, every analysis and every insight done always leads to the same discussion about who the GOAT is. But the only thing I can say is that the Big 3 have rewritten the history of sport (I specified: sport, not just tennis).
Just under a week ago Steve Johnson announced his farewell to tennis.

In the press conference, the now former US player did not shy away from a question that has always aroused a lot of curiosity.

Who, between Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, was the most difficult tennis player to face during his career?

“For me the most difficult player to face was Roger Federer, but I only played once against Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal. I almost beat him here (at Indian Wells – ndr.), lost 6 out of 6 times, had a few chances and the next time I couldn’t resist the adjustments he made. I left the court wondering what he had done since the last time I faced him, how he had changed his strategy, and what he did was one of the most extraordinary things to me,” said Johnson.

Roger Federer© Pool / Team Getty Images Sport

Steve Johnson’s farewell

Johnson, as mentioned, said goodbye to tennis, a sport that later became a job for him, which made him dream as a child, grow, rejoice, but also despair. A journey which, the American says, reached its epilogue when he realized that he no longer had the desire to stay away from his two children.

A career, the one that is coming to an end, that makes him proud and leaves him with no type of regret or remorse.

“For me it’s just the culmination of everything that my life has basically been about: tennis. Maybe I set unrealistic expectations as a child, because everyone dreams big. After everything that’s happened, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, I feel like I’ve done pretty much everything in my power. I feel like I left nothing to chance – that’s the most important thing,” said Johnson said.

“I like the chaos that comes with life with two kids and I discovered last year that I no longer liked traveling and being away from them. I tried to play, but my mind wasn’t there. I was ready to stop playing,” he has explained.