Joachim “Pim-Pim” Johansson during his career. Here in the last ATP match in Stockholm 2013.
Photo: ANDREAS SANDSTRÖM / BILDBYRÅN
Johansson during a Davis Cup match against Argentina.
Photo: ROGER VIKSTRÖM / SCANPIX / TT NEWS AGENCY
27 years ago, Joachim “Pim-Pim” Johansson played the Stockholm Open for the first time. Nine years later, he defeated Rafael Nadal on the same court. In 2013, he played his last ATP match here.
But the former world number nine’s affairs in the classic Royal Tennis Hall are not settled. Two days in a row he has bowled the American tennis ace Tommy Paul, who later went on to win the entire tournament.
– I love being here. It feels like I’m going out to play a match, he says when Expressen meets him on Sunday.
The 42-year-old works as a trainer under his own authority in the Salk hall in Stockholm. He also runs the Pace tennis academy together with entrepreneur Oliver Hildebrandt. There is one of Sweden’s hottest talents, William Rejchtman Vinciguerra, who is trained by coach profile Thomas Högstedt.
“Pim-Pim” continues to play a lot of tennis and according to his own statement, his form is good, while his self-confidence is at its best.
– I play very well indoors. If I serve well and bring the game from behind, then I have a hard time seeing myself cod against anyone in this starting field. But there is a difference between playing a match and a whole tournament.
“Pim-Pim” divorced this summer
But much is different for Joachim Johansson now. Earlier this year, together with his ex-wife, the former golf pro Johanna Johansson, he chose to submit the divorce papers to the district court.
– It was a joint decision and a long process. It didn’t happen in a day. But at the beginning of this year, we started discussing it and came to a joint decision. I think we have a good relationship today.
– That’s not what you hope for from the start when you get married. But it feels like we were done. I think it was nice to move on. I think she thinks so too.
Johanna Johansson, formerly Westerberg, was a pro on the LPGA tour.
Photo: DANIEL NILSSON / © BILDBYRÅN
Together with his ex-wife, he has a son and a daughter. This summer, the former couple told the children about the tough decision.
– Yes, it wasn’t the proudest moment in life. But I think it went great. The first quarter was a bit of a struggle, but both kids have been absolutely fantastic. The children are doing well. They have entered into new routines. It will be a change for the children and the house will be empty when they leave, but I think they have taken it well.
New love: Charlotte, 42
However, “Pim-Pim” did not have to wait long to find love again. During the Nordea Open in Båstad last summer, he met Charlotte Stanler, 42.
After that, things went quickly.
– We have very good communication. We talk and are honest with each other. I really like that. We can really be ourselves. At the same time, we have a lot of fun together, says “Pim-Pim”.
Joachim Johansson with new love Charlotte Stanler.
Together they visited the Royal Tennis Hall and the Nordic Open over the weekend.
Charlotte Stanler, who grew up in Täby, agrees.
– I think we found each other when we were both in a good place in life. We want more or less the same things going forward. Both have their own interests. Both have children. We’ve been taking it slow, but it’s been hard to hold back.
– We are in roughly the same life situation. Both have separated recently. Both come from long relationships. We both know what we don’t want to change in a relationship. Then it’s fun that Pim-Pim has so much energy.
Now the new girlfriend is hoping for another comeback from “Pim-Pim”.
The main server does not close the door completely.
– Yes, haha. Many people want that. But you don’t get any younger, he says.
