Ohio State Men's Tennis
“I play more like an athlete than a tennis player,” Wolf says. “I wouldn't call myself a tennis genius.”
Tennis is a complex game that typically requires specialization and total devotion at a young age, but Wolf played soccer, basketball, baseball and tennis until he was 16. What he may have lost in tactics and problem-solving ability, he’s more than made up for in explosiveness and agility. Soccer and tennis pair especially well for young athletes.
“Soccer helped develop my footwork and quickness, playing basketball was good for my lateral movement and jumping ability, and baseball was great for keeping a live arm while serving and also strong hip rotation,” Wolf believes.
Wolf comes from one of the most athletic families in Ohio history. His grandfather Charley played football, baseball, and basketball at Notre Dame. Later on, he would coach in the NBA for the Cincinnati Royals and then the Detroit Pistons. Charley had six sons—each went on to play college basketball. All this athletic experience comes with wisdom. Wolf’s father Jeff coached him until he was 17, and built his game for the long run.
“I probably would have burned out if I played only tennis growing up,” Wolf says. “My family never pressured me to pick a sport. I chose tennis because it came down to what I could control. On the court it’s all about you every point.”
Wolf began to hit his stride as the No. 1 player for perennial powerhouse Ohio State, where he relished the chance to represent his state. After posting a 35-2 record his junior year, Wolf turned pro. Winning the Columbus Challenger in 2019 on his home courts may have spurred that decision. He exploded from the starting line in 2020 and won two Challenger titles before March 1. In Noumea, Wolf eviscerated his opponents, winning seven of his 11 sets by at least a 6-2 margin.
The American hasn’t won a match on the ATP stage but he also hasn’t played one. Despite four Challenger titles and winning 19 of his past 21 matches, Wolf has yet to be gifted an ATP main-draw wild card. Timing could have played a role in that, with Indian Wells, Miami and Houston canceling their events in the initial stages of the coronavirus shutdown.
“J.J. hits as big as anyone I’ve seen coming out of college in a long, long time,” says USTA Pro Circuit commentator Mike Cation, who has seen Wolf play up close and personal dozens of times. “At this stage, playing guys outside of the Top 50, he can overpower just about anyone at any time. To use a golf reference from another era, he is John Daly, grip it and rip it, except with a fitness level that is off the charts.”
Wolf plays with no fear. When he loses, he goes down swinging. The Cincinnati native doesn’t sell himself short on any shot. Sometimes the magic isn’t there, but when it is, Wolf is a sight to behold.
“Now it's about seeing how he will respond when he gets smacked in the face by some players who can match him shot for shot with pace,” adds Cation.
