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British Tennis Forum -> British women discussion section -> Week 40 – ITF W35 San Rafael, CA, USA - Hard
Post Info TOPIC: Week 40 – ITF W35 San Rafael, CA, USA - Hard
Lambda


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Week 40 – ITF W35 San Rafael, CA, USA - Hard
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QR1: Sofia Johnson (GBR) UNR/1810 [WC] v Victoria Gomez O'Hayon (ESP) WR772 [Q12]

Good to see Sofia in a pro circuit draw post college at long last. I've been puzzled why she's only been entering US W35s and I have no idea how she's got the WC.

Coincidentally, Sofia played Victoria in her final college match with the score 6-2 3-6 Abandoned. I didn't think Sofia was anywhere close to her best in that match and may have been carrying an injury. Victoria was playing for Florida Atlantic at the time but is now a Graduate Student at TCU.

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paulisi


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Based on this interview, I'm not convinced she planned on going pro(interview may be old)

wearecollegetennis.com/2025/02/03/student-athlete-spotlight-sofia-johnson-old-dominion/

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Lambda


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She has always planned on going pro. Although such plans can be taken with a pinch of salt in the early years of college, she has stated it a number of times over the last 2 years including in a TV interview last summer and in her endowed scholarship speech in April.

For those that don't know Sofia, she attended Old Dominion University playing No 1 for her final 2 years. She reached a college career high ranking of 6 in January this year, reached the R16 in the NCAA Championships in her 3rd year and won the inaugural ITA Conference Masters last November. She is a 21 year old British-Hungarian (dad from Ivory Coast, mother from Hungary) and went through college a year young, joining shortly after turning 17 and graduating just before her 21st birthday. She has a brother, Kristofer, who played tennis for Alabama State. She considered transferring from ODU last summer for NIL opportunities and support for her future tennis career. She received several offers from unnamed institutions in the highest conferences but ultimately decided to stay at ODU for her final year.

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Coup Droit


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Yes, but as per paulisi's post, she did say earlier this year, in Feb 2025:

"Hello, my name is Sofia Johnson, and I am a Junior at Old Dominion University. Outside of tennis, I am pursuing a degree in Business Analytics with the hopes of pursuing a career in Data Analytics."

Now, maybe she means she wants to pursure her career in Data analytics AFTER tennis, but it doesn't really read like that

NB Can't help it but Sofia is forever in my mind as a prime exponent of 'How to Lose a Match that you Absolutely Had in the Bag', when she was beaten by Emily Webley-Smith, two years ago, in a match that was completely hers, and she just buckled.



-- Edited by Coup Droit on Monday 29th of September 2025 12:24:09 PM

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Lambda


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"Thank you... for this educational opportunity that I appreciate and will look forward to using after hopefully a long and successful tennis career"

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Coup Droit


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Well, let's hope, and all the best to her in her tennis career

(and try and not have a complete collapse when you've got the match sewn up)

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the addict


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QR1:- Sofia Johnson (GBR) UNR/1810 [WC] def Victoria Gomez O'Hayon (ESP) WR772 [Q12] 7-6(6) 6-2

*****

FQR:- Sofia Johnson (GBR) UNR/1810 [WC] v Alexis Nguyen (USA) WR691/17yo/JR457 [Q7]

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B00thy


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Made a good start anyhow

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the addict


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FQR:- Sofia Johnson (GBR) UNR/1810 [WC] def Alexis Nguyen (USA) WR691/17yo/JR457 [Q7] 2-6 7-5 13-11

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Pierrot


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Sofia used to have a CH of 882 in doubles - mainly the result of being RU in a 25k in 2023.



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the addict


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R1:- Sofia Johnson (GBR) UNR/1810 [QWC] v Mio Mushika (JPN) WR765

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indiana


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Yes, starting off by beating WRs 772 and 691 is pretty encouraging for the future. Plus seeing out that very tight second match.

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DF


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One point / counter smile



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Coup Droit


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the addict wrote:


FQR:- Sofia Johnson (GBR) UNR/1810 [WC] def Alexis Nguyen (USA) WR691/17yo/JR457 [Q7] 2-6 7-5 13-11

 That must have been SO tense

I think Alexis is one of the twins, too. 

There's Avery as well

And they're both from California (forget where) 

They got a lot of publicity because (a) they're twins, and (b) the USTA refused to support them (from my recollection) 

And I also seem to remember that one of them had a major heart problem as a baby (although I might be mixing them up with some one else) 

Either way, not easy to beat a local youngster, in front of their crowd

Well done ! 



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B00thy


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the addict wrote:


R1:- Sofia Johnson (GBR) UNR/1810 [QWC] v Mio Mushika (JPN) WR765

 Wow! just seen this result .. I thought it was winnable but (JonH, please note) kept my feeling to myself



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