Surfer John John Florence Wants Kelly Slater Rematch

At the Tahiti Pro in 2014, surfer John John Florence surfed an almost identical performance to that of Kelly Slater, which went down as the "greatest heat of all time," gaining each surfer an almost perfect score.

Now John, who ultimately lost to Kelly, has opened up about his desire to take on Kelly again at the Tahiti Pro 2023.

"I've had a couple of heats against Kelly that've been amazing, and it would be incredible to have that rematch again."

"I think it only counts, though, if the waves are as good as they were then... and it's big. It's so crazy to think it's been that long. It's amazing."

"Growing up, he was always my idol."

"I've just grown closer and closer to Kelly over the years. I got to know him when I was young... someone to look up to. Then, it transitioned into competing against him and learning how to be like, 'Oh, wait. Now... I can beat him,' and wrap your mind around that."

John also finds it "crazy" he's "still competing against" Kelly, who is currently in his 31st year on the WSL Championship Tour, and now finds the surfing G.O.A.T as an "inspiration" instead of "just only wanting to beat him."

"At this point, it's just incredible what he's able to do with his body for this long. I just know how hard it is competing. It's so hard on your body now... and year after year. So for him to do it for this long, I hope I can be doing stuff like that when I'm his age."

In February, Kelly revealed he had a "bigger goal" than winning a 12th world title, which was to be good enough to qualify for the 2024 Olympic surfing comp.

Although the 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, the surf contest will be held at Teahupoʻo in Tahiti which had "one of the scariest waves in the world," according to John, who will be a two-time Olympian in July 2024.

He shared his thoughts on possibly rematching Kelly at the Olympics.

"That would be amazing."

"I was a little nervous the last time around. The last time I felt like a lot of people around me built up the Olympics to be this much different thing."

"In my mind I was like, 'Oh, I have to train differently. I have to do stuff differently.' But really, I think it's more going at it just how I would normally compete."

"When I am able to relax a little bit and just have fun with it, that's when I compete my best."