Ben Johns is a professional pickleball player who is widely regarded as the best in the world. He has won numerous titles and awards in the sport, including multiple triple crowns at major tournaments. He is also a successful entrepreneur, a podcaster, and a student of engineering. In this article, we will explore his life story, his achievements, his controversies, and his plans.
Biography of Ben Johns
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Ellingham Johns |
| Date of birth | March 18, 1999 |
| Place of birth | Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA |
| Residence | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Playing style | The middle child of 7 siblings, brother Collin Johns is also a pro pickleball player and doubles partner, sister Hannah Johns is a sideline pickleball reporter |
| Sponsors | JOOLA Pickleball, Franklin Sports, Pickleball Getaways, Pickleball 360 |
| Rankings | No. 1 in mixed doubles, singles, and men’s doubles by the Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) |
| Education | University of Maryland, Materials Science and Engineering degree |
| Family | Middle child of 7 siblings, brother Collin Johns is also a pro pickleball player and doubles partner, sister Hannah Johns is a sideline pickleball reporter |
| Career highlights | Won over 80 titles on the PPA Tour, 15 of which were triple crowns, won three triple crowns at major events (U.S. Open and Tournament of Champions), went on a 108-match winning streak in singles and undefeated in mixed doubles for 22 consecutive tournaments |
| Paddle | JOOLA Ben Johns Signature paddle, a graphite paddle with a polymer core and a textured surface, weight of 7.8 oz and grip size of 4.25 inches |
| Podcast | Freestyle Boys, co-hosted with brother Collin Johns, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube |
| Social media | Instagram: @benjohnspickleball, Facebook: @benjohnspickleball, YouTube: Ben Johns Pickleball, website: benjohnspickleball.com |
| Interesting facts | Freestyle Boys, co-hosted with brother Collin Johns, is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube |
| Controversy | Accused of using delaminated paddles that increased power and performance, rumored to have had affairs with some married female players |
Early Life and Education
Ben Johns was born and raised in Laytonsville, Maryland, as the middle child of seven siblings. His mother introduced him to pickleball when he was 12 years old, and he instantly fell in love with the game. He also played tennis and table tennis as a child, which helped him develop his skills and techniques for pickleball.
For most of his education, he homeschooled and earned a degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Maryland in 2021. He currently lives in Austin, Texas, where he trains and competes in pickleball tournaments.
Ben Johns Career
Ben Johns started playing pickleball competitively in 2016 when he was 17 years old. He entered his first major tournament, the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, and finished fifth in men’s pro singles. He quickly rose to prominence in the sport, winning his first gold medal at the Riverbend RV Resort Pickleball Tournament in 2017.
He also won the men’s pro singles title at the U.S. Open that year, as well as three gold medals at the Canadian Nationals. He became the first male player to win a triple crown (gold medal in all three events) at one of the world’s three major pickleball events when he achieved it at the Tournament of Champions in 2019. He repeated this feat at the U.S. Open in 2021 and 2022, making him the only player to win three triple crowns at major events. He has also won over 80 titles on the PPA Tour, 15 of which were triple crowns.
His dominant and versatile playing style, which combines power, finesse, speed, and strategy, is what Ben Johns is known for. He can hit hard drives, soft drinks, spin shots, and lobs with ease and accuracy. He is also adept at playing both singles and doubles and has partnered with some of the best players in the sport, such as Simone Jardim, Kyle Yates, Collin Johns, and Lucy Kovalova. His peers and fans widely respect and admire him, and some media outlets have dubbed him the ‘king of pickleball.
Ben Johns is not only a pickleball player, but also a pickleball entrepreneur. He has signed sponsorship deals with several brands, such as Franklin Sports, JOOLA Pickleball, Pickleball Getaways, and Pickleball 360. Ben also has his line of pickleball paddles, apparel, and accessories.
He is the co-founder and host of the Freestyle Boys podcast, where he and his brother Collin Johns discuss pickleball topics and interview guests. Johns also runs an instructional video company, Pickleball 360, where he offers tips and tricks for improving one’s game. He is also involved in charitable causes, such as donating pickleball equipment to prisons and schools.
Net Worth
Some sources estimate Ben Johns’ net worth to be around $1 million. However, this figure is not verified and may not reflect his actual income or assets. His main sources of income are his prize money from tournaments, his sponsorship deals, his pickleball businesses, and his podcast. He also earns money from his social media platforms, where he has a large and loyal fan base.
Relationships and Family
Johns is currently single, according to his social media posts. He has not publicly confirmed or denied any romantic relationships in the past or present. He is very close to his family, especially his brother Collin Johns, who is also a professional pickleball player and his doubles partner. Hannah Johns, his sister, reports on sideline pickleball, and his other siblings actively engage in the sport. His parents are supportive of his career and often attend his tournaments.
Social Media Presence
Ben Johns has a strong and active social media presence, where he connects with his fans and shares his pickleball journey. He has over 40,000 followers on Instagram, over 20,000 followers on Facebook, and over 10,000 subscribers on YouTube. He also has a website, benjohnspickleball.com, where he sells his merchandise and offers coaching services.
Interesting Facts about Ben Johns
- Ben Johns is a fan of the Washington Capitals, the NHL team from his hometown.
- Ben Johns is fluent in Spanish, and can also speak some French and Mandarin.
- Ben Johns enjoys playing chess and has a rating of over 2000 on chess.com.
- Ben Johns is a fan of the Harry Potter series, and his favorite character is Hermione Granger.
- Ben Johns has a pet dog named Luna, who often appears on his social media posts.
FAQs
Ben Johns is 24 years old, as of 2023. He was born on March 18, 1999.
Johns is 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall.
Ben Johns uses the JOOLA Ben Signature paddle, which he designed and endorsed. It is a graphite paddle with a polymer core and a textured surface. It weighs 7.8 oz and a grip size of 4.25 inches.
Ben Johns’ mixed doubles partner is Simone Jardim, who is also the world’s No. 1 female player. They have won several titles together, including the U.S. Open and the Tournament of Champions.
Ben Johns’ podcast is called The Freestyle Boys, where he and his brother Collin Johns talk about pickleball topics and interview guests. It is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Controversy
Ben Johns has been involved in some controversy and drama in the pickleball world, mainly related to his paddle and his personal life. Some of the issues are:
- PaddleGate: In 2023, the pickleball community accused Ben Johns and several other players of using paddles that delaminated after use, enhancing their power and performance. This sparked a debate as it was perceived as a violation of the rules and the spirit of the game. Ben Johns defended himself, stating that his paddle had passed official tests when new. He emphasized that the issue wasn’t about restricting paddle technology improvements but about the intention of bypassing the power test. He also explained the technical aspects of the deflection and rebound tests and suggested some possible solutions.
- Home Wrecker: Ben Johns has also been rumored to have had affairs with some married female players, which allegedly caused their divorces. Some of the names mentioned are Christine McGrath, Simone Jardim, and Rob Nunnery’s wife. These rumors have not been confirmed or denied by any of the parties involved, and are mostly based on hearsay and speculation. Ben Johns has not addressed these rumors publicly and has maintained a low profile on his personal life.
Conclusion
Ben Johns is a pickleball phenomenon, who has achieved remarkable success and fame in the sport. He is widely considered to be the best player in the world and has won countless titles and awards. Johns is also a pickleball entrepreneur, a podcaster, and a student of engineering. He has a large and loyal fan base, who admire his skills and personality.
He has also faced some controversy and criticism, which he has handled with grace and professionalism. Ben is a role model and an inspiration for many pickleball players and enthusiasts and has contributed to the growth and popularity of the sport. Johns is still young and has a bright future ahead of him, and we can expect to see more of his amazing feats and achievements in the years to come.