NFL Star Chad Johnson On Alcaraz: ‘I See The Evidence’

Chad Johnson, a legendary NFL wide receiver who has also been known as ‘Chad Ochocinco’, is quickly becoming a tennis nut. The former Cincinnati Bengal standout and New York Mets star Francisco Lindor met with Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard’s fourth-round win at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Tuesday against Tommy Paul.

Johnson, who has made multiple visits to the tournament this fortnight, spoke to ATPTour.com about his relationship with Christopher Eubanks, Alcaraz’s game and more.

What made you interested in tennis?
My daughter is taking tennis lessons. She’s seven years old, she’s taking tennis lessons and I didn’t ignore it, but I had to take her to tennis lessons one day. I get there, she’s hitting the ball. I can’t sit still, so I grab a racquet and I start hitting the ball and now I’m taking lessons three times a week. I’m stuck in the game.

She goes to lessons… I’m taking my own lessons with another coach. Now I’m into it and want to get good at it. I’ll never be great obviously. But I can’t sit still, so I’ve been taking lessons. I’ve been taking it really seriously along with boxing.

I know Chris [Eubanks]. I asked Chris, I want to come out to the Miami Open, I know you’re here, I’d love to meet you, and that’s how everything started.

How cool was what he did last night, earning his way into the Top 100?
Unbelievable. Very cool. Very cool to see it. I’m very happy for Chris and his success. I’m excited to watch him tonight.

Did you get to see Carlos Alcaraz play?
I’ve been asking, Chris already told me about him. Tommy Paul told me about him earlier when I met him at the beginning of last week how good he was. But watching him live just puts everything into perspective that they were saying, so now I get it. I didn’t get it because you guys are pros, you guys are elite at the top level and to hear them speak about him in such a manner that I had no clue about until I was able to see the evidence out there today.

They talk about how explosive he is, which reminds me of you a little bit. How cool is it to see a different sort of athleticism in a different sport?
I think tennis doesn’t get its just due in my type of circle with the NFL circle. I don’t think they come and watch it up close. But then once you see it up close, you will have an unbelievable perspective of it and being able to watch someone like that today man, holy sh**!