US Open Preview: Steve Johnson

This week, Baseline will highlight a variety of Americans to watch for during the US Open. Qualifying action starts on August 22, with the main draw beginning on August 28.​

Age: 27

Rank: 37

Career-Best US Open Performance: 2012 third round

2017 High: In what has been a difficult year off the court following the sudden death of his father, Steve Sr., Johnson created arguably the feel-good moment of the year when he won an emotional match against Borna Coric in the second round of the French Open. On the surface, it was just a second-round victory, but the endless flow of tears after Johnson’s winner on match point told another story that tennis fans won’t soon forget.

2017 Low: For the second year in a row, Johnson surprisingly lost to young American Stefan Kozlov, who was ranked outside of the Top 150 both times. After a disappointing third-set tiebreaker loss against Philipp Kohlschreiber the previous week, the defeat in Queen's Club stung.

Best Social-Media Moment: Jumping in a pool is fun. Doing so after winning a title that seemed out of reach when Johnson’s body was failing him in the final of Houston? Even better. And despite Denis Kudla criticizing Johnson’s cannonball form in the comments, Johnson will always feel good looking back at this leap.

US Open Outlook: Johnson is a competitor through and through, going back to his days at the University of Southern California. But since his father, who was a renowned coach in California, passed away, Johnson has had even more to play for. Believe it or not, “Stevie J” has only reached the second week of a Slam once. With all the motivation in the world and his home major’s courts to defend, look for Johnson to use his explosive forehand and stabbing backhand slice to at least put himself in a position to make another second week.

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