Steve Johnson reflected on the ATP tournament that he loved playing at even more than the Grand Slams.
The 35-year-old retired from tennis in 2024 after playing on the ATP Tour for 12 years.
He had the opportunity to play against the world’s best and play in the biggest stadiums in front of electric crowds.
But there is one particular event that had Johnson’s heart and the American looks back on it with very fond memories.
Steve Johnson reflects on competing at Indian Wells during his tennis career
The Indian Wells Masters is the ATP Tour’s first Masters 1000 event of the season.
It is an event that is known by many as the ‘fifth Grand Slam’ and the tournament is one every player wants to win and fans enjoy watching both in person on television.
Former player Steve Johnson is not only an American but is also from California, where the Indian Wells Masters is held.
He thoroughly enjoyed competing at the tournament and having his friends and family watching him play there are memories he will never forget.
“Indian Wells for me was always my favorite tournament, what I considered home. I went out there a lot as a kid, so for me it was a special special place,” Johnson told the Nothing Major Podcast.
“It’s always somewhere I kind of wanted to stop, and as you get to that point in your career where that becomes a possibility, that’s exactly where I wanted to be.
“I was always very fortunate, a lot of friends, a lot of family members got to come out, they all follow your results, see how it goes, but to be able to drive out there, see you play live, having your grandparents out there, it’s just a fun atmosphere I really enjoyed it. If I could play that tournament, just that one every year, I would sign up for it in a heartbeat.”
What is Steve Johnson’s Indian Wells Masters record?
Johnson reached the main draw of the Indian Wells Masters on nine occasions.
The former World number 21 failed to go beyond the third round on four occasions, and reached the second round in 2019.
Johnson’s best results came in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2022, when he made it to the third round of the Masters 1000 event.
His final appearance at Indian Wells came in 2024, and it was also where Johnson played his final match.
Johnson failed to qualify for the singles event, but he played doubles alongside Tommy Paul, and they lost in the first round and his career came to an end.
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