University of Georgia Athletics
Tennis A Way Of Life For Johnston
February 05, 2026 | Men's Tennis, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
The sound that Noah Johnston has likely heard more often than any other in his life is that of a tennis racket striking a ball. Not only has the Georgia freshman hit countless balls of his own during a lifetime of playing the sport, but he also grew up at the family-owned Brookstone Tennis Club in Anderson, S.C.
"Living on top of a tennis club was definitely a unique experience," Johnston said.
He means that literally. His mother, Sophie Woorons, who was an All-American for Clemson in singles and doubles in 1996, as well as the ACC Player of the Year, is the owner and director of Brookstone, which has eight clay courts and two hard courts. (She also earned her PhD. in Sport Pedagogy from UGA.) "We live right on top of the pro shop. The building is three stories, and we live on the third floor," Johnston said.
Johnston's father, Andy, played for Clemson before serving as the head coach of the Clemson women's team from 1983-97, leading the Tigers to five ACC titles and being named ACC Coach of the Year four times. Both of Johnston's parents have been inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition, Woorons' father, Lucien, Johnston's grandfather, has also been a regular coach.Â
"I played a bunch of different sports growing up; I played basketball, soccer, football, and I love to ski, but for me, tennis was the best thing and the most fun thing," Johnston said. "My family was working super hard at the club, so I would just go downstairs and pick up a racket and start rolling balls along the ground. I stuck with it, and it's the best choice I've ever made."
Tennis has taken Johnston far already, having played in tournaments all over the world, including the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and French Open junior events. He and partner Benjamin Willwerth reached the finals of the French Open doubles in 2025.
In the fall, Johnston went 6-2 in collegiate tournament play, including winning Flight 2 at the Carolina Classic event in Columbia, S.C. The Bulldogs have started off the dual-match season 2-1, with wins over Georgia Tech and Boise State and a loss at No. 5 TCU. Johnston, ranked No. 83 in the country in singles, has played all three matches at the No. 4 singles spot and at No. 3 doubles (with partner Derrick Chen). Johnston is 2-1 in singles play and 2-0 in doubles. The Bulldogs open their home schedule Friday afternoon at the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Courts against No. 20 Duke.
"First home match for the boys — so excited," Johnston said. "I think it's going to be packed, so I'm excited for that, and I've got my family coming in from South Carolina. The boys are ready."
Johnston credits his mom for first putting a racket in his hand and for helping him reach so many of his tennis dreams. He's beaten a lot of people on the court, but what about mom?
"I've never beaten my mom," he said with a smile. "I used to hit with her all the way up until I was like 13, and then we played a set one time, and she beat me, like 7-6. After that, she was like, 'Okay, we're never playing points again,' so I never, ever beat her.
"I still play my dad, though. I like to beat up on my dad."
Even though Johnston is a Georgia freshman, he's already thinking about his future and pursuing a pro career one day.
"I walk through these doors every day with a mindset that it's all about the journey, and it's not about the past," he said. "I have a goal every day, just to improve a little bit. And that's my motivation every day — just to get better and hopefully work to one day be on the (ATP) Tour."
Staff Writer
The sound that Noah Johnston has likely heard more often than any other in his life is that of a tennis racket striking a ball. Not only has the Georgia freshman hit countless balls of his own during a lifetime of playing the sport, but he also grew up at the family-owned Brookstone Tennis Club in Anderson, S.C.
"Living on top of a tennis club was definitely a unique experience," Johnston said.
He means that literally. His mother, Sophie Woorons, who was an All-American for Clemson in singles and doubles in 1996, as well as the ACC Player of the Year, is the owner and director of Brookstone, which has eight clay courts and two hard courts. (She also earned her PhD. in Sport Pedagogy from UGA.) "We live right on top of the pro shop. The building is three stories, and we live on the third floor," Johnston said.
Johnston's father, Andy, played for Clemson before serving as the head coach of the Clemson women's team from 1983-97, leading the Tigers to five ACC titles and being named ACC Coach of the Year four times. Both of Johnston's parents have been inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition, Woorons' father, Lucien, Johnston's grandfather, has also been a regular coach.Â
"I played a bunch of different sports growing up; I played basketball, soccer, football, and I love to ski, but for me, tennis was the best thing and the most fun thing," Johnston said. "My family was working super hard at the club, so I would just go downstairs and pick up a racket and start rolling balls along the ground. I stuck with it, and it's the best choice I've ever made."
Tennis has taken Johnston far already, having played in tournaments all over the world, including the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and French Open junior events. He and partner Benjamin Willwerth reached the finals of the French Open doubles in 2025.
In the fall, Johnston went 6-2 in collegiate tournament play, including winning Flight 2 at the Carolina Classic event in Columbia, S.C. The Bulldogs have started off the dual-match season 2-1, with wins over Georgia Tech and Boise State and a loss at No. 5 TCU. Johnston, ranked No. 83 in the country in singles, has played all three matches at the No. 4 singles spot and at No. 3 doubles (with partner Derrick Chen). Johnston is 2-1 in singles play and 2-0 in doubles. The Bulldogs open their home schedule Friday afternoon at the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Courts against No. 20 Duke.
"First home match for the boys — so excited," Johnston said. "I think it's going to be packed, so I'm excited for that, and I've got my family coming in from South Carolina. The boys are ready."
Johnston credits his mom for first putting a racket in his hand and for helping him reach so many of his tennis dreams. He's beaten a lot of people on the court, but what about mom?
"I've never beaten my mom," he said with a smile. "I used to hit with her all the way up until I was like 13, and then we played a set one time, and she beat me, like 7-6. After that, she was like, 'Okay, we're never playing points again,' so I never, ever beat her.
"I still play my dad, though. I like to beat up on my dad."
Even though Johnston is a Georgia freshman, he's already thinking about his future and pursuing a pro career one day.
"I walk through these doors every day with a mindset that it's all about the journey, and it's not about the past," he said. "I have a goal every day, just to improve a little bit. And that's my motivation every day — just to get better and hopefully work to one day be on the (ATP) Tour."
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.
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