A father. A coach. A man who lost his partner… and is now raising his two children on his own. Johnny Goitia’s life is not easy, but every day filled with responsibilities, he finds space to laugh, to teach, and to simply keep trying to be the best father he can be for his two children.

“My day starts at 6 in the morning,” Johnny says. “I wake up my kids, make their lunch, take them to school, then I go give lessons myself.” From tennis to padel, Johnny’s routine is packed. But at night, at home, everything changes. “It’s something really simple, but when we’re home, I call them into my room and I like to joke around with them on the bed, tickle them, just a lot of laughter. Those are our moments.”

Two years ago, the family was shaken by the loss of Dhayene Goitia, who passed away after a long battle with illness. Even though they lived and fought together with constant hope, her passing left a deep emptiness behind.

Johnny lost his great love, his partner, and best friend, while their children lost their beloved mother. Now, two years later, the memories are what remain intact and they've become a new way to keep Dhayene alive in their hearts. “I try to make sure they don’t dwell on the sad moments. I want them to hold on to the happy memories,” Johnny says. For him personally, the place where he feels closest to Dhayene is on the tennis court. “We were at the court every day. And when I’m fixing rackets at home, I play her favorite songs. I see the smiles come back.” And if he could ask his partner one question today, it would be: “Where are you, and are you okay? Can you give me advice on how to keep giving the same love you gave now that I have to be both mom and dad for our children at the same time?”