University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Britton Johnston
March 30, 2023 | Men's Tennis, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Britton Johnston grew up around golf and tennis. His mom Sue played and taught tennis, while his dad Steve played and taught golf. Johnston's present is very much tennis, but he envisions spending a lot more time on the course in the not-too-distant future.
A fifth-year player from Snellville, Ga., Johnston in his career has slowly worked his way into the lineup, playing at No. 3 doubles the past two seasons. Johnston and Blake Croyder won the Southern Intercollegiate Championships doubles this fall and have gone 8-6 at the No. 3 spot in dual-match play this spring. The No. 8 Bulldogs (12-5, 6-0 SEC) host No. 4 Kentucky (19-2, 7-1) at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex on Friday.
During a Quick Chat, Johnston talked about his start in tennis, his plans for the future, his funniest teammate, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: Was tennis always your main sport or did you play a lot of different sports when you were young?
Johnston: It started off as tennis and golf. My mom was a teaching pro and former Division I player, and my dad was a former golf pro and teaching pro. They ended up meeting and I was raised either going to the course or going to the courts. In the end, tennis did win out, and I think it was a good decision.
Frierson: What was it about tennis? I'm guessing you were also quite good at golf.
Johnston: I was pretty good at golf, and I'm still not too bad at it. I still love golf a lot and I play it as much as I can, but I was so young that I don't remember making a full on decision. I think it was more logistically that tennis became the main thing. Once I went with it, I really decided to dive into it and take it as seriously as I could.
Frierson: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
Johnston: That would have to be Mr. Blake Croyder. He just always brings a good attitude and good energy. There's never a day when he won't make you laugh at least once.
Frierson: What makes you two a good doubles team?
Johnston: I would say it ties into the last point — we even have a good time on court. It doesn't matter what the score is, the heat of the moment, not that we aren't focused or engaged but that's just our way of going about it. It helps us to stay really relaxed and perform under the most stressful times.
I'm out there playing tennis with one of my best friends for over 10 years now, so it's always fun. ... We played our first match together when we were freshmen, and that was not a pretty match [laughs]. We were incredible nervous and tight and it was stressful, but after a little bit of maturity I think we're now a great team.
Frierson: What's something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Johnston: Fried rice, for sure. Some hibachi and sushi, I could eat it every day.
Frierson: How are you in the kitchen?
Johnston: I actually love cooking. My dad is, unbiased, the greatest cook I know, and it's not very close. He's never made a bad meal in his life. I had an interest in it and growing up at home, I would always sit in the kitchen and not necessarily write notes but take notes mentally and ask him a bunch of questions.
Going to college, I started experimenting on my own and on my girlfriend. I enjoy it.
Frierson: Say you're inviting a couple of teammates over for dinner, what are you going to cook?
Johnston: I do a homemade pasta that I think is really good. I make the noodles myself, make the sauce myself, use really good cheeses and stuff, and that's the best thing I learned from my father. He's really good at Italian food. I would probably make homemade pasta and homemade pizza. I've done that a lot.
Frierson: Where is your favorite place that tennis has taken you?
Johnston: One time, Blake and I went on a French mini-tour series, we went and played a bunch of tournaments, and I wouldn't necessarily say that all of it was amazing — and he would tell you the same thing. We ended up meeting up a guy that Blake and I knew from the juniors, (former Virginia great and current No. 45 in the world) Brandon Nakashima. He was playing in the French Open at the time and we hung out.
Brandon took us out and we got to hit on the red clay courts at the (Roland Garros) practice facility. We went into the players lounge and everything, and that was pretty sweet.
Frierson: In a perfect world, what are you doing in 10 years?
Johnston: Right now, I'm trying my best to look at jobs in many different areas. I have two offers as of now, and I'm probably taking one of them. To answer your question, I don't even know what the perfect job is for me. As long as I have a good job and have a place of my own, and I'm getting to play a lot of golf, then I'll be very happy.
Frierson: When you're done at Georgia, do you see your tennis days being mostly behind you?
Johnston: I would say it's probably impossible for me to completely leave tennis behind — I know somehow, some way I'll be dragged into going to hit with someone — but I would like to. I joked with former teammate Billy Rowe, who probably plays more golf than tennis now, that we're going to start some match play battles here soon and I'm going to launch my golf career.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
Players Mentioned
