Interviewer: Can you share your thoughts on the first game, which lasted just under 30 minutes, with a lot of side outs and counterattacks from James and Anna? Were you expecting them to come out so strong?
Ben Johns: Yeah, I think it wasn't so much that either team was playing really hot. It was more that both teams were having some difficulties with their third shot drops. James covers a lot of court and takes a lot of balls out of the air and finishes well, so it's tougher to get in on him. I think we supplied that same thing, so it was a long game primarily because of good fourth shots and subpar third shots on both sides.
Interviewer: You mentioned the deformation rule. What are your opinions on this rule, considering it went in your favor in this match?
Anna Leigh Waters: Even though it went in our favor this time, it hasn't in the past. And even if it did go in our favor every time, I'd still say this: if you can do that to a ball, I think it should just be over. But because there was a rule, we challenged it. If there wasn't a rule, I don't think we'd be too upset about it.
Ben Johns: I agree with Anna. There are two scenarios with the deformation rule: you can indent the ball, which usually won't bounce, or if it cracks, it often causes no bounce as well. To me, it's kind of like a broken string in tennis. Players have to play through that; they don't stop for a broken string. So, I think we should abandon that rule altogether and play the ball as is, removing subjectivity from referees' calls.
Interviewer: Anna, how did you recognize that the ball was deformed during the match?
Anna Leigh Waters: When I saw it bounce, I noticed it squish. I was watching the ball because when James hits it hard, you have to take it off the bounce to keep it in play. It squished, and I thought, "There it is." But it's not just the sight; it's how it plays off the ground. It barely bounced, almost rolling off the bounce.
Interviewer: Ben, I noticed you had PT tape on your back. Could you explain its purpose?
Ben Johns: It's not for an injury, I can say that much.
Interviewer: Anna, there were many lobs from you in this match. Was that intentional, or were they just to defend the point?
Anna Leigh Waters: It was definitely intentional. The higher the lob, the harder it is to hit an overhead. I felt that because Ben's overheads were so strong, he was putting them away when they were perfect. So, the higher lobs were an attempt to disrupt his timing and maybe force an error.
Interviewer: Ben, you're going for your 100th gold. In which event would you want to achieve that milestone?
Ben Johns: Well, that's a tough one. I guess maybe singles would make the most sense. But in pickleball, where a lot of players are constantly breaking records, it's a cool number, but let's aim for 200, right?
Interviewer: Is achieving this milestone something significant for you, or is it just another day?
Ben Johns: It's a cool number, but in a sport like pickleball, where players are always breaking records, let's focus on creating more records and reaching 200 golds.
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