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What a moment.
🇺🇸@SJohnson_89 with @Jon_Wertheim after his victory v. Borna Coric at @RolandGarros just weeks after losing his father. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/MYm7FMIQs8

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 31, 2017

Steve Johnson battled through another emotional tennis match today, defeating Borna Coric, 6-2, 7-6(8), 3-6, 7-6(6), but it wasn’t the tennis that weighed heaviest on his mind. His victory over Coric, which places him in the third round at Roland Garros for the second time in three years, was an intense battle that saw Johnson miss on four match points in the tenth game of the fourth set—he was also given a controversial point penalty for ball abuse which was questionable at best, given the timing.

*HORRENDOUS* ball abuse violation and point penalty called on Steve Johnson after he misses a fourth set point. Barely tapped the ball.#rg17

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 31, 2017

While all this was happening on the surface, Johnson was still dealing with and processing the fact that he’s playing Roland Garros without his father in his life for the first time. That’s not an easy task for a 27-year-old man who had a special relationship with his father.

We addressed the emotional tone of Johnson’s visit to Roland Garros two days ago when he outlasted Yuichi Sugita to win his first round match.

Today we’ll let Johnson take it away. Watch his interview with Jon Wertheim above to get a glimpse of what it has been like to try to play this tournament with a broken heart. Johnson’s father, Steve Sr. passed away suddenly at the age of 58 just less than three weeks ago. He was beloved in the tennis community and the primary coaching figure in Johnson’s life. Johnson is here with his fiancé, his mother and his sister.

He’ll face Dominic Thiem in the third round.

After the match on Twitter the respect was palpable.

Yes!!!!!!! @SJohnson_89 You are a warrior!!!! Found that extra gear at critical moments!! 🙏🙏🙏👍👊😀😀😀✌️✌️✌️

— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) May 31, 2017

As emotional as it gets on a court. choked up watching @SJohnson_89 (with his late dad in mind) prevail in epic. Extraordinary #FightOn

— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) May 31, 2017

Steve Johnson take a bow you legend

— jimmy soixante-dix (@hotdog6969) May 31, 2017

Steve Johnson take a bow you legend

— jimmy soixante-dix (@hotdog6969) May 31, 2017

Steve Johnson (🎥Eurosport) pic.twitter.com/mc9FldatSz

— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) May 31, 2017

Steve Johnson pic.twitter.com/8iuZPEBud9

— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) May 31, 2017