The eldest in a brood of tennis players, his father was once a pro and all his four younger siblings play. Johnny started playing at age five in his hometown, Cebu, when he could barely even carry the racquet. But the boy had talent, something his father saw from the start.
While playing as a boy in Cebu he was discovered by the Milo sports program. "They wanted me to train and study in Manila. I didn’t want to leave my family, and my family didn’t want me to go, but eventually they allowed me. I was only 10 years old. I only had a guardian, a guy from Milo. Of course, I missed my family, and I kept crying. It was tough."
At that age, Johnny learned to take on the life of a devoted athlete, a life of constant play and practice, of victories and defeats, all by himself. Without a personal coach, his ascent was pretty much a solo flight. As a teenager, he had already gone all over the world to play the game he loved the most. By that time, he was able to win enough prize money to be reunited with the family he so missed.
And by the end of his teens he was seeded as the top tennis player in the country, and he continues to be to this day.
Ah, to be alone at No. 1. Johnny truly is one Bright Young Thing.
You already have the talent, but what does it really take to be a good tennis player?
Patience and hard work, tiyaga. For me, it’s what I really wanted to do, and that’s why I stuck to it. Sleep early, wake up at 5:30, play tennis, then study, then play tennis. That was my life.
When did you start feeling successful?
I just kept winning tournaments. By age 12, I had already traveled around almost the whole of Asia. I first trained in Hong Kong for one year, when I was 14; the training was really tough, I had to stop school. After that my game really improved. That was all I thought about: tennis, tennis, tennis.
What was your most memorable victory?
When I was 17, I was able to join the Men’s Open, which was a senior event. I wasn’t really thinking of the age, but I was fearless because I had nothing to lose. I was the youngest to win the championship in the history of that tournament. I was no longer joining the juniors and everything changed after that win. I bought a car and a house, I was finally able to move my family to Manila.
I used to commute by jeepney and go from place to place with my huge bag, and then suddenly I had a car! That was a big deal! Life became a lot more comfortable.
What’s the best thing about being an athlete?
Winning! Iba talaga ’yung feeling.
And the worst?
It’s the pressure, palagi kang nag-iisip, you can’t sleep before a game. If you’ve reached a certain level, the pressure is to maintain your position.
Any regrets?
I knew I could’ve done better if I got the chance to join international competitions. The level of playing is different. Right now we hardly join international tournaments. I regret that. Since I don’t compete internationally I lost my world ranking. There’s no support, no sponsors.
Compared to other sports, what is it about tennis you really like?
It’s not like basketball, which is a contact sport. Tennis is really about yourself, your physical condition, the way you hit the ball, the way you keep running back and forth.
You need a clear head, all you see are the ball, the court and the opponent. Ang sarap talaga mag-tennis.
How do you prepare for a game?
Before a game I go to a room by myself, listen to music, just concentrate.
Any tennis players you admire?
I like Agassi, because we both have a double-handed backhand. I like his clothes too, but he’s Nike, I’m Adidas!
How come you don’t have a personal coach?
Apart from the team coach, I never had a trainer or a personal coach, after my dad. A lot of people can’t believe I don’t have one, but I think it’s better for me. I have to push myself.
I just watch TV and study how good players play. And then I copy them and practice.
What was your dad’s advice when you were training?
Work hard, be patient, and you’ll get your rewards in the end. Don’t acquire any vices, don’t be into barkada. Just play and study.
What are your plans for the immediate future?
I want to go back to school. I have a year to go as a Marketing major at Letran University. I’m not thinking of marriage yet. I don’t even have a girlfriend since there’s no time, and I’m still saving up.
I’ll play for as long as my body can still take it. Six, seven years. And maybe when I’m tired of it all, I’ll just coach the younger ones and teach them what I learned.
Now I’m 23, it’s a bit too late to join international tournaments.
What would you like to do for the future of tennis in the Philippines?
There has to be more funds for our tournaments. As a young tennis player you really have to go out and join international tournaments. That’s what we really, really need because that’s when your game will get better, when you’re exposed. And that requires money.
If I could change things I would really eliminate corruption in sports. And give the younger talents a chance to study and train abroad.
How do you feel when you see the younger ones?
My youngest brother and his teammates just won in Australia last month, so they qualified in the world level and they’re going to the Czech Republic this November. I remember during my time I didn’t make it, so I’m so proud that they did.
It’s funny, because I see myself in my youngest brother. I see the desire to play tennis and be good at it. I used to sleep with a ball in a sock hanging above my bed, and I’d keep hitting it till I’d fall asleep.
What advice would you give budding tennis players and other young athletes?
Don’t be lazy. If you’ve decided that you want to play tennis, commit to it. Panindigan mo. Usually you realize whether you really want it when you’re about 14 or 15.
There were times that I wanted to quit, when I felt that nothing was going to happen, times when I would lose, or my dad would be so strict. But I kept going. I just practiced, practiced, practiced.