William "Bill" Johnston (November 2, 1894 – May 1, 1989) was an American tennis player who was a dominant figure in the sport during the 1910s and 1920s. Often known as "Little Bill" to distinguish him from his taller contemporary and rival, Bill Tilden, Johnston was renowned for his powerful forehand, frequently referred to as the "California Forehand."
Johnston won three major singles titles during his career. He captured the U.S. National Championship (now the US Open) singles title twice, in 1915 and 1919. In 1923, he won the Wimbledon singles championship, defeating Brian Norton in the final. Beyond singles, Johnston also accumulated multiple Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles titles.
He was a key member of the United States Davis Cup team, contributing to several victories, including the team that defeated Australia in 1920 to reclaim the Cup, and subsequent defenses. His rivalry with Bill Tilden was one of the most prominent in early 20th-century tennis, with the two often meeting in major finals. Johnston was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1958, recognizing his significant contributions to the sport.