Hannah [0:08] Hi everyone, welcome to the Hannah Johns podcast where we bring people closer to the sport that they love. I'm Hannah Johns, and today I have with me here the GOAT of the sport, number one player, Ben Johns. Hi Ben.
Ben: Hello.
Hannah [0:21] Why did you decide to change partners for 2025?
Ben: Yeah, you know, obviously we played together for a long time, and it was certainly not an easy decision for either of us. There was some analysis as far as our decreased winning percentage this year, and we made some changes. But ultimately, it wasn’t super about winning or anything like that—it was more about enjoyment on the court, which was lacking a bit for both of us.
I think variety is really key for keeping things fresh and staying interested. So, it just felt healthier for both of us to get a change-up, maybe regain some enthusiasm for the game. This isn’t necessarily forever. We still enjoy playing together, and we might come back to it at some point.
It’s more like, "Let’s take a break, refresh mentally, and maybe develop our games independently for a bit." You fall into specific roles in partnerships, and change can help break those habits. There were a lot of good reasons to try something new, and we’ll see how it goes.
Hannah [2:20] Is Gabe Tardio your men’s doubles partner for 2025?
Ben: Yeah, I think there are still some details to hash out. My schedule isn’t 100% set yet, and Gabe had some contract stuff to figure out. But Gabe was definitely my first call. I reached out to him and asked if he wanted to partner up, and he was very interested.
You’ll see us playing together for a good part of the year, I think. Gabe was the first player I thought of, and I’m excited about what we can do together.
Hannah [3:08] Do you have any other partnerships planned for this year besides Gabe?
Ben: Yeah, I think Hayden has had a lot of success this past year. He’s risen so much and improved a ton. We have at least one tournament planned, and that could increase.
I’ve also picked up a lefty, Max Freeman, for one event. He’s not as well-known, but I was impressed when I saw him play. He’s one of the rare lefties who can be aggressive and make plays, which is exciting. It’s a bit of a question mark since he hasn’t been in big matches yet, but I wanted to give it a shot just to pique my interest.
Hannah [4:39] What is your philosophy on lefties in the sport?
Ben: I’ve said for years that we haven’t seen enough highly skilled lefties yet because the pool of players is still small. But when we do, I think most top teams will be lefty-righty combinations.
The court dimensions make having a lefty a big advantage—it’s harder to play against and really helpful to have on your team. Even now, with only a handful of lefties in the game, they’re consistently in quarterfinals and beyond. I think lefties are a bit overpowered in this sport, and we’ll see that more as the talent pool grows.
Hannah [6:01] Would you consider playing the right with a new partner?
Ben: Nobody’s really given me a reason to play the right. I haven’t done it since 2020, but I actually liked it when I did. It’s fun to be a little trickier with forehands off the bounce over there. That said, I’ve just always ended up on the left, so I guess I’m stuck as a left-side player.
Hannah [6:34] Which player wouldn’t be a great partnership fit for you?
Ben: Funny question! I’d say someone like JW Johnson. He’s an amazing player, but we both prefer the left side. It’d be hard for either of us to comfortably play the right, even though it’d be cool to team up. I’d probably look completely lost on the right, and he’d be wondering what I was doing. It’d be chaos, but fun chaos!
Hannah [7:26] Why did you choose Gabe over other partnership options?
Ben: Honestly, there was some analysis. You look at different players and think about how they’d fit. With Gabe, it just clicked. He’s a great player, and I felt like our styles could complement each other really well. He also has this energy and excitement that I think will be great for keeping things fresh.
Hannah [7:28] Why did you choose Gabe for the majority of the events? What was different about him versus the other options out there?
Ben: Yeah, I mean, honestly, there is some analysis of, you know, you look at players like, "Oh, they look good," or whatever, but how I do most of my choosing is personality and just thinking about who I’ll enjoy being on the court with for a whole year. Gabe just has a good vibe about him. He’s a super nice guy, but he’s also competitive and works hard. I think he’s just a good mix of what you’re looking for in a partner, both on and off the court.
He’s also younger, so there’s some appeal there in terms of growing and developing a partnership. I think we both have a lot to learn from each other, and that’s exciting. When you pick a partner, you’re also picking someone you’ll spend a lot of time with, so it’s got to be someone you’re comfortable with—and Gabe just checked all those boxes for me.
Hannah [8:34] Did you choose a younger partner in order to meld your games together more easily?
Ben: Yeah, I think that’s part of it. With younger partners, there’s definitely an opportunity to grow together in terms of strategy and style. Gabe has shown a lot of potential, and I think we’re in a position where we can build something unique. He’s got some tools and instincts that I think are really valuable, and I’ve got my own strengths and experience to offer.
The idea is to take both of our games and create something that’s greater than the sum of its parts. It’s about synergy, right? I think with Gabe, we have a real chance to achieve that.
Hannah [9:31] What adjustments will you need to make for the partnership to be successful?
Ben: Oh, there will definitely be adjustments. Any time you play with someone new, it’s a process. I think for Gabe and me, it’s going to be about figuring out how to balance our strengths. He’s aggressive and has great hands, and I think I bring a more patient, strategic style to the table.
The key will be blending those two approaches. I’ll need to adapt to his pace and make sure I’m complementing him rather than trying to impose my game too much. And he’ll need to do the same for me. It’s all about finding that middle ground where we can both thrive.
Hannah [10:10] Will the partnership be technical/patient or more of the newer, fast-paced style?
Ben: Honestly, I think it’ll be a mix. Gabe’s natural style leans more toward the fast-paced, aggressive side, while I’ve traditionally played a more technical, calculated game. So, it’ll be interesting to see how we balance those dynamics.
I think you have to be adaptable in today’s game. There’s definitely a place for patience and precision, but the sport is evolving, and you have to embrace the faster pace to stay competitive. I think we’ll end up with a hybrid style that takes the best of both worlds.
Hannah [11:08] Do you prefer the older style of play, or are you embracing the sport’s evolution?
Ben: I’ll always have a soft spot for the older, more strategic style of play. That’s what I grew up with, and it’s what I’m most comfortable with. But you can’t ignore the direction the sport is heading. The game is faster now, and there’s a lot of emphasis on athleticism and quick reflexes.
I think the best players are the ones who can adapt and evolve. You don’t want to get stuck in the past, but you also don’t want to lose the things that made your game special in the first place. For me, it’s about finding a balance between the two.
Hannah [11:52] How do you feel about the rise of younger players challenging the established names in pickleball?
Ben: I think it’s awesome. The younger generation is pushing the sport forward, and that’s exactly what we need. It keeps everyone on their toes, and it forces the more established players to stay sharp and keep improving.
I mean, the younger players bring a different energy—they’re fearless, athletic, and willing to try things that maybe some of us wouldn’t have dared to in the past. It makes the game more exciting to watch and play. It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s one I enjoy. Competition like that makes you better.
Hannah [12:35] How do you stay ahead of the curve when these younger players are constantly innovating?
Ben: It’s a combination of things. You have to stay in great physical shape because the sport is more demanding than ever. But it’s also about keeping your mind sharp and continuing to learn. I watch a lot of film, study the trends, and try to anticipate where the game is going.
It’s also important to stay open-minded. Sometimes younger players come up with strategies or techniques that you haven’t seen before, and you have to be willing to adapt. I think humility is key—you can’t assume you’ve got it all figured out. There’s always room to grow.
Hannah [13:16] Speaking of trends, what do you think will define the next era of pickleball?
Ben: Great question. I think the next era will be defined by speed and versatility. The players coming up now are incredibly fast and athletic, and they’re not afraid to take risks. That’s going to keep pushing the game toward a faster, more dynamic style.
But I also think versatility is going to be huge. The best players won’t just excel at one thing—they’ll be able to do it all. Defense, offense, soft game, power—it’s all going to matter. The players who can adapt to any situation will be the ones who thrive.
Hannah [14:02] Are you looking to innovate your own game as you move forward?
Ben: Absolutely. I don’t think you can ever stop innovating if you want to stay at the top. For me, that means working on new strategies, adding new shots to my arsenal, and staying ahead of the fitness curve.
It’s also about mentality—keeping that hunger and drive to improve. I think as soon as you get comfortable, that’s when you start to fall behind. So, yeah, I’m always looking for ways to grow and evolve my game.
Hannah [14:42] Let’s talk about your dominance in men’s doubles. Do you feel like you’ve achieved all you wanted to in that discipline?
Ben: I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished in men’s doubles, but I don’t think I’d say I’ve achieved everything I want to. There’s always room to push the boundaries and set new goals.
For me, it’s less about the accolades and more about the journey—learning, improving, and finding ways to stay at the top. As long as I still have that passion and drive, I don’t think I’ll ever feel like I’m “done” in men’s doubles.
Hannah [15:21] How do you stay motivated after so many wins and titles?
Ben: Motivation comes from a few different places. One is just the love of the game—I genuinely enjoy playing pickleball, and that makes it easy to stay motivated.
Another is the competition. There are always new players coming up, and that keeps things exciting. I also set personal goals for myself, whether it’s mastering a new skill or improving in a specific area.
And finally, I think it’s about legacy. I want to leave the sport better than I found it, and that’s something that drives me every day.
Hannah [15:52] You’ve mentioned legacy. What do you hope your legacy will be in pickleball?
Ben: For me, it’s about more than just the wins and titles. Of course, I’m proud of those, but I hope my legacy is about helping to elevate the sport as a whole.
I want people to look back and say, “He helped pickleball reach new heights.” Whether that’s through inspiring the next generation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the court, or helping grow the game globally, that’s what matters to me.
I also hope my legacy includes being a good ambassador for the sport. I’ve always tried to compete with integrity, respect my opponents, and represent pickleball in the best light.
Hannah [16:28] You’ve competed at such a high level for years. What advice would you give to young players looking to follow in your footsteps?
Ben: My biggest piece of advice is to stay curious and be willing to put in the work. Pickleball is evolving so fast, and the players who succeed are the ones who are constantly learning and adapting.
Also, don’t skip the fundamentals. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to hit flashy shots, but the best players are the ones who’ve mastered the basics.
And finally, have fun with it. Pickleball is an amazing sport, and the more you enjoy it, the better you’ll play. If you’re passionate about it, the hard work won’t feel like a chore—it’ll feel like an opportunity.
Hannah [17:03] One last question: What do you think pickleball will look like 10 years from now?
Ben: That’s such an exciting question because the sport is growing so quickly, and it’s hard to predict exactly where it will go. But I think we’ll see even more professionalization, with larger tournaments, bigger audiences, and perhaps even a global league or something like that.
I also think the level of play will continue to rise. The younger players coming up now are setting a new standard, and that’s only going to continue.
And beyond that, I think pickleball will become a truly global sport. We’re already seeing growth in places like Europe and Asia, and I think that will only accelerate. It’s going to be amazing to see how far the sport can go.
Hannah [17:45] Thank you so much, Ben, for your time and insights. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you!
Ben: My pleasure, Hannah. Thanks for having me and for shining a spotlight on pickleball.
