No Smoke Pickleball Show Ep 5: Ben & Collin Johns (Oct. 2019)

 

The Johns Brothers: From Backyard Beginnings to Pickleball Stardom (October 2019) As the sport of pickleball rapidly expands across the country, perhaps no duo better represents the meteoric rise and expanding appeal of pickleball than brothers Ben and Collin Johns. Though both discovered the sport less than 5 years ago, their journey from homemade backyard pickleball courts in Maryland to international pro tournaments is emblematic of the sport’s growth from niche hobby to mainstream competition. Ben Johns, now 20, initially stumbled upon pickleball at age 16 after years focused on tennis, baseball, and table tennis. Older brother Collin Johns, 26, was fully committed to a professional tennis career before eventually joining Ben on the pickleball scene. Now the siblings form one of the most dominant pairs in the sport, winning major tournaments together as they aim to help pickleball reach its full potential. #1. Pickleball Matters [5:35] Despite their tennis background, neither Ben nor Collin grew up with plans to dominate pickleball. Ben was devoted to baseball in his early years, playing travel leagues, while also participating in competitive junior tennis starting around age 10. He eventually lost passion for tournaments by age 11 but continued informally hitting with brother Collin at home whenever Collin was not traveling for tennis. Though a gifted tennis player, Collin’s first love was baseball. He played travel baseball extensively growing up and initially dreamed of a career in Major League Baseball, not foreseeing tennis as his path. The Johns’ journey to the professional pickleball circuit began innocently enough through happenstance and experimentation in the family’s Maryland backyard. There was no master plan, only Ben and Collin enjoying competing together and pushing each other’s skills regardless of the sport. Their introduction to pickleball mirrored the casual origins of many players as a backyard game among family. #2. Johns Family [9:00] Ben and Collin Johns grew up in a full household with 5 sisters and 2 brothers. Their siblings range in age from 24 years old down to just 3 years old. With 7 children total being homeschooled by their parents, competition and teamwork were ingrained in Ben and Collin from an early age. They learned to motivate, support, and challenge one another both on and off the court. This tight-knit family dynamic contributed to the brothers’ successful sporting partnership over time. #3. Tennis Dreams [11:15] Though Collin Johns did not begin playing tennis until age 13, his natural athleticism and fierce determination fueled his rapid improvement. He quickly became one of the top nationally ranked juniors in his age group and turned professional by his late teens with dreams of rising in the ATP tennis rankings. Collin reached as high as top 1000 in ATP while still a teenager, an impressive feat in the highly competitive world of professional men’s tennis. His unique style of hitting two forehands, one right-handed and one left, instead of using a traditional backhand gave Collin an edge over opponents who struggled to adjust to the unpredictable weapon. Ben Johns was along for the ride as Collin’s hitting partner whenever they were both home, providing brotherly support. #4. How Did Pickleball Happen [16:30] The Johns brothers were first introduced to pickleball around 2013 at their family’s Florida vacation home in Naples, one of the first communities in the area to build designated pickleball courts. Ben gave it a try casually with wooden paddles and found the sport fun and well suited to his skills. After meeting experienced local players who helped advance his game, he quickly became hooked. Within just a few months, at age 16 Ben competed in his first national tournament, the US Open Pickleball Championship. Though unfamiliar to most at the time, the whimsical sport with the funny name would soon become Ben’s passion. He achieved early success, winning the US Open men’s singles title the very next year in 2017 at age 17. Ben’s star was on the rise. #5. Traveling to Florida [19:04] The Johns family has traveled between Maryland and Florida for many years since Ben and Collin were children. Their father’s flexible job allowed the home-schooled kids to spend extended periods of the year in Naples, Florida near their vacation home. Though coincidentally beneficial for finding pickleball, the trips were not specifically intended for the brothers’ athletic development, but rather general family vacations. The periods in Florida also created more opportunities for Ben to play pickleball year-round, especially during the cold Maryland winters. This winter escape helped fuel his rapid improvement in the blossoming sport during the pivotal early years. #6. Why Did You Stop Tennis [21:53] After years chasing his tennis dreams around the world, Collin decided to step back from professional tennis in 2018 at age 24. Despite reaching a top 1000 world ranking, he felt he was not making his desired progress and needed a change. That August, Collin moved from Florida back home to Maryland and simultaneously shifted his athletic focus toward pickleball alongside younger brother Ben. Without the same tennis ambitions, Collin embraced pickleball as a new opportunity for competition and challenge. Within just months, his extensive tennis experience propelled Collin to excel on the professional pickleball scene, following Ben’s rise. #7. Moving Back to Maryland [26:57] In summer 2019, Collin was offered and accepted a head tennis pro job at a country club in Maryland, allowing him to move back closer to most of his family. After a month, the club extended a full-time position to retain Collin's services. Though he had planned to return to Florida the following year, the unexpected job offer provided motivation to remain in Maryland long-term and enjoy more time with loved ones between pickleball tournaments. The Johns parents surely appreciate having both successful sons back home under one roof once again. #8. Playing More Tournaments [28:02] Collin officially dove into more dedicated professional pickleball training and competing leading up to the 2019 US Open Pickleball Championship. After moving back to Naples, Florida in 2018, he began practicing frequently with top players like Simone Jardim to improve his game. Collin set a goal to make a statement at the US Open that year so he could attract sponsorships to support entering more events. His impressive play led to a meeting with paddle brand Pickleball Central at the tournament. They reached a verbal sponsorship agreement right before the main draw began, marking Collin’s transition to full-time pickleball. #9. Signing With Prince [29:41] Just weeks after the 2019 US Open, Collin signed an official sponsorship deal Prince. Prince also supplies paddles to Ben. Given his familiarity with Pickleball Central and their quality gear, switching to their sister brand Prince provided a seamless transition for Collin. The Prince paddle shape better fit Collin’s style and helped elevate his game. Thanks to Prince’s support, Collin was able to quickly join his brother Ben in compiling an extensive tournament schedule against the world’s best pickleball opponents. #10. Signature Paddle [33:14] As part of his Prince sponsorship deal, Collin collaborated closely with their designers to create his own signature paddle line. The paddles were first unveiled publicly at the 2019 US Open. However, perfectionist Collin was not fully satisfied with the initial prototype and continued honing improvements. He tested and compared two different versions—one thinner and one thicker—for ideal weight, shape, grip, and other nuances. The thinner option better matched his preferences and became the chosen design produced for sale under Collin’s name. Though the intricate tuning prolonged the release, his Prince paddle met Collin’s lofty standards when finally available to purchase in late 2019. #11. Franklin Masters [35:37] At the esteemed Franklin Pickleball Open in November 2019, Ben Johns experimented using both the thinner and thicker versions of his recently launched signature Franklin paddle. The Franklin ball's softness compared to other brands led Ben to ultimately prefer the thinner paddle for added pop at this particular tournament. The ability to adjust his paddle selection based on ball brand and feel exemplified Ben's meticulous attention to optimizing his equipment as the sport’s top player at the time. With pickleball still an evolving sport, Ben appreciated the opportunity to provide detailed feedback and collaborate intimately with Franklin through the custom paddle design process. #12. Collin Johns [36:04] Ben and Collin first connected with fellow pro player Dekel Bar years ago through tennis. Dekel, an Israeli athlete near Collin’s age, met Collin by chance at a junior tournament where they were assigned to share housing. The two formed a fast friendship that grew stronger through frequent stays at each other’s homes for training. Dekel has essentially become an honorary third Johns brother. When Dekel later began competing in pickleball as well, the bond between him and the Johns boys only tightened further. They now regularly practice and travel together for pickleball events just as they once did for junior tennis.

#13. Food Poisoning [39:01] At the 2018 National Pickleball Championships, Ben Johns’ attempt at a triple crown sweep came to a shocking halt when severe food poisoning derailed his hopes the night before the men’s singles bracket. Debilitated from vomiting and unable to keep any food or fluids down, Ben could hardly stand up the next day, let alone compete at his normal championship caliber. Though he valiantly fought through the singles draw, Ben fell short of medaling while battling severe dehydration and fatigue. The harrowing ordeal demonstrated Ben’s determination and mental toughness playing through extreme illness, though he sagely conceded some matches are simply beyond winning. #14. Mixing Up Partners [44:46] As Ben and Collin Johns' resumes expanded, so did their list of partners at tournaments. They have both had the opportunity to team up with many of the world's top players. While finding a steady, long-term partner produces the best chemistry and results, switching partners frequently also has advantages. The brothers enjoy the fun challenge of quickly developing an on-court connection with new teammates. Adapting their games to complement different partners’ playing styles and strengths helps improve the Johns’ all-around skills. However, Ben and Collin ultimately recognized their similar backgrounds made them ideal partners capable of excelling together consistently, leading them to join forces more frequently moving forward. #15. Trips to Ecuador [48:20] Beyond their travels for major pickleball tournaments, Ben has also organized occasional recreational pickleball trips to exotic locales through his side business Pickleball Getaways, which he co-owns with close friend Dekel Bar. Though they have only visited Ecuador twice so far, it quickly emerged as a favorite destination. Ben's groups explored the beautiful country through both a wide-ranging tour and more traditional resort-style stay. By merging his passion for pickleball with immersive cultural experiences in bucket-list worthy settings, Ben'sPickleball Getaways offer adventurous players a uniquely engaging travel experience unlike routine tournaments. The company continues expanding its list of potential dream locations. #16. Playing At A Young Age [51:06] Though pickleball provides a fun outlet for players of all ages, competing professionally from a young age brings distinct challenges, according to Ben and Collin Johns. They felt adolescence put them at an inherent disadvantage on the pro circuit, as most competitors were adults well into their 30s, 40s and beyond with more mature mental games. However, starting out young also helped Ben and Collin rapidly improve skills that peers developed later in life. They had to learn how to overcome intimidation factors against older opponents through determined play rather than deference. In that sense, pickleball's diversity of ages interacting on equal terms at all levels of play proved invaluable in the Johns' development.

Here is Part 2 of the article continuing where the previous section left off:

#17. The Rapid Rise of Pickleball

Like the Johns brothers, pickleball has skyrocketed from humble origins to mass appeal seemingly overnight. What began as a backyard pastime in the 1960s has evolved into one of the fastest growing sports in America with millions of recreational and competitive players.

In 2022 alone, USA Pickleball membership nearly doubled year-over-year to over 5 million registered players. Courts are popping up across the country from small towns to big cities as demand outpaces supply. Major networks like ESPN regularly broadcast professional tournaments. Household names like LeBron James, Tom Brady and the Williams sisters have invested in pickleball leagues and events.

#18. Mainstream Momentum

Media coverage, celebrity investments and glowing testimonials from converted fans have all boosted pickleball’s credibility as more than just a casual diversion. It is now a serious, prestigious sport with big sponsors and prize pools to match.

Yet competition remains friendly and welcoming. Pickleball earned a reputation as a sport for all ages that anyone can enjoy recreationally. Kids, parents and grandparents regularly face off on equal terms, contrasting most sports’ age segregation. This rare blend of accessibility and legitimacy fuels pickleball’s appeal and momentum.

#19. Why Pickleball? Why Now?

Several factors explain the timing behind pickleball’s cultural breakout. Its convenience and affordability provides recreation that fits neatly into busy, budget-conscious modern lifestyles. A globally revered GOAT like Serena Williams describing pickleball as a “legit” sport in 2022 gave the activity instant credibility.

Above all, as spectator sports consumed via screens displace active community recreation, pickleball offers an interactive real-life alternative. The social bonds forged over shared interest in pickleball are as meaningful as the physical exercise for many devotees. At a time of pervasive digital isolation, pickleball provides uncommon in-person connections.

#20. Growth Pains

Pickleball’s popularity is not without some growing pains. Limited court availability often frustrates eager new players. Iconic public parks like NYC’s Central Park face controversy over replacing tennis courts with pickleball. But creative solutions exist, like converting underused spaces into multi-sport facilities accommodating both games.

Established pickleball hubs like the Johns brothers’ hometown area surrounding Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay cemented infrastructure and cultural footholds early. Expansion elsewhere continues, but scaling nationally remains a work in progress. For now, the lack of courts remains pickleball’s biggest obstacle to broad participation.

#21. What’s Next for the Johns Brothers?

Having conquered the pickleball world together in short order, where do Ben and Collin Johns go from here? After all, once you reach the peak, exploring new summits becomes the next adventure.

Ben Johns wants to complete a Triple Crown sweep of all 3 major pickleball majors—US Open, National Championships and U.S. Pro Open—in the same calendar year. It's an unprecedented accomplishment in the young sport, but Ben never shies from chasing greatness.

Collin Johns aims to topple his younger brother's reign as the top-ranked men's singles player. Their friendly sibling rivalry persists despite partners on the doubles court. Father Time remains undefeated, so the clock ticks for Ben to cement his legacy before youthful challengers like Collin catch up.

#22. Leaving a Legacy

Most of all, the Johns brothers share a passion for bolstering pickleball's popularity and prestige long term. They aspire to build the sport into a lasting multi-generational activity embraced throughout mainstream culture.

Thanks to the vision and dedication of ambassadors like Ben and Collin Johns, pickleball is well on its way to realizing that ambitious dream. By peaking early after starting young, the Johns brothers have decades ahead to shape pickleball’s future for the better. Their extraordinary play inspires newcomers every day to give this life-changing game a try and become the next generation of pickleball stars.