Johnson closing in on medal in Rio, and top American spot

At the age of 26, Steve Johnson’s career is finally coming together—at breakneck speed.

This summer, the University of Southern California tennis legend (he ended his time as Trojan on a 72-match winning streak) won his first ATP title in Nottingham. A week later, at Wimbledon, he would reach his first round-of-16 at a major, where he fell to Roger Federer. He’s now ranked No. 22 in the world and is the second-highest American behind fellow college graduate John Isner.

"I couldn’t be more happy with where I am today, even with losing to Roger," Johnson said in London. "I’m very happy where my tennis has been, where its come from, and hopefully where I’ll go for the rest of the year."

Johnson’s winning ways haven’t been limited to grass. On the hard courts at the Rio Olympics, he was the only American man to emerge from the first round. And now, with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Russia's Evgeny Donskoy, he's into the quarterfinals. While the Olympics draw is missing some notable names, Johnson is taking his No. 12 seeding as far as he can, and in impressive fashion.

He’s also one match away from earning a medal in doubles with Jack Sock. On Thursday, the two fell to Romania's Horia Tecau and Florin Mergea in the semifinals, but still have a shot at bronze.

Playing against a 17-time Grand Slam champion on Centre Court was a “dream come true” for Johnson, but he didn’t let the occasion overwhelm him, a mindset that could come in handy as he edges closer to a spot on the podium.

“The courts are still the same. That’s what you have to focus on,” he said. “The dimensions stay the same.”

Johnson’s path to the present has been unusual for the modern game. He opted to stay at USC for all four years, playing as the team’s No. 1 for most of his career. It was a winning combination: Johnson won the singles NCAA title twice and the NCAA team title all four years.

"I’ll never second guess my four years in college," Johnson said. "Everybody’s path is different. You just gotta do what’s best for you. If anybody asks me, I’d definitely say college is an option. It’s a very good tool to use."

Though professional tennis is a far cry from the team-driven environment of the college game, the Olympics bear a resemble because of the camaraderie that the nation-based competition breeds. It’s no surprise that a player who thrived in a team environment is succeeding in Rio.

"When you’re playing for your school you have six other guys and coaches to help you through out while out here you’re on an island, you’re by yourself," he said at Wimbledon. "It’s a bit different not having somebody to lean on."

Graduating in 2012, Johnson has had just four years to adjust to life on the pro tour. He cracked the Top 100 in early 2014 but had long sat in the shadows of fellow big-hitting Americans Isner, Sock and Sam Querrey.

That’s beginning to change. Johnson took out Isner in the semifinals of Washington, snapping a four-match losing streak to the Georgia alum. He also recently passed Sock in the rankings (the younger American is No. 23), and is currently just three spots behind Isner.

While the Olympic Games won’t give Johnson any additional ranking points, a medal of any kind would be a career highlight. As he closes in on the top U.S. spot, the spotlight will intensify as Johnson makes his way toward Flushing Meadows. Though given the summer he’s had, and the experiences under his belt, Johnson seems ready for it.