Ben Johns

Early Life and Background

Benjamin Ellingham Johns, born on March 18, 1999, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is widely regarded as the greatest pickleball player of all time. Raised in Laytonsville, Maryland, Ben was homeschooled and later graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Materials Science and Engineering. His early athletic pursuits included tennis and table tennis, which laid the foundation for his future success in pickleball.

Introduction to Pickleball

Ben’s journey into pickleball began in 2016 during a family vacation in Florida. At the age of 17, he quickly showcased his talent by securing fifth place in Men’s Pro Singles at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships just a few months later. This early success ignited his passion for the sport, and he began competing in tournaments regularly.

Rise to Prominence

In less than a year, Ben earned his first gold medal at the Riverbend RV Resort Pickleball Tournament. His breakthrough came when he won gold in Men’s Pro Singles at the U.S. Open, followed by three gold medals at the Canadian Nationals. These victories catapulted him to the forefront of the pickleball world.

Dominance in Pickleball

Ben’s dominance in pickleball is unparalleled. He became the first male professional player to win a triple crown (gold medal in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) at the Tournament of Champions in 2019

He repeated this feat at the U.S. Open in 2021 and 2022

As of 2024, Ben has accumulated over 123 PPA titles, including 21 triple crowns

Titles and Achievements

• Singles Titles: 36
• Doubles Titles: 41 (31 with Collin Johns, 8 with Matt Wright, 1 with Jay Devilliers, and 1 with Dekel Bar)
• Mixed Doubles Titles: 46 (31 with Anna Leigh Waters, 12 with Simone Jardim, 1 with Jessie Irvine, and 2 with Elise Wright)
• Triple Crowns: 21

Ben’s remarkable achievements include a 108-match winning streak in singles and an undefeated run in mixed doubles for 22 consecutive tournaments

He has consistently held the #1 ranking in all three divisions (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) by the Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) and other global rankings

Sponsorships and Collaborations

In 2019, Ben signed a sponsorship deal with Franklin Sports, which lasted for three years

In 2022, he partnered with JOOLA Pickleball to design and produce the JOOLA Ben Johns Hyperion CFS 16 pickleball paddle

1. His collaboration with JOOLA has been instrumental in advancing the sport’s equipment technology.

Off the Court

Outside of pickleball, Ben enjoys traveling, reading, weightlifting, investing, and playing various other sports and games like padel, table tennis, badminton, spikeball, golf, Fortnite, Magic: The Gathering, and chess

He is the co-owner of three pickleball businesses: Pickleball Getaways, Pickleball 360, and Johns Design & Consulting

Personal Life

Ben is the middle child of seven siblings. His brother, Collin Johns, is his regular doubles partner, and his sister, Hannah Johns, works as a sideline reporter and senior content editor for the PPA Tour

2. Ben currently resides in Austin, Texas.

Legacy

Ben Johns’ impact on pickleball is immeasurable. His dedication, skill, and sportsmanship have set new standards in the sport. As he continues to compete and inspire future generations, Ben’s legacy as a pickleball legend is firmly established.