Pickleball Star Ben Johns: Ben Johns, the most accomplished pickleball player of all time, has a new obsession—boba tea. While his skill on the court is undeniable, fans now get a glimpse into his off-court indulgence as he explores different tea spots during tournaments.
A Longtime Love for Bubble Tea
Johns, who previously spoke about his love for Goldfish crackers, recently shared that his real go-to treat has been boba tea for years.
“I’ve been having bubble tea pretty religiously since I was 13 or 14 years old, and from there it developed into a semi-addiction. It’s what I call the path to enlightenment.” – (Ben Johns)
During the 2025 Proton Tucson Open, Johns took a trip to Ni Hao Tea in Tucson, Arizona, excited to explore the menu. His enthusiasm for the drink was evident when he greeted the shop with, “Well, hello to you my tea darling.”
Exploring the Boba Menu
Johns took viewers through the tea shop’s offerings and was thrilled to find fresh taro, a starchy root vegetable often used in bubble tea.
“Fresh taro is my favorite type of bubble tea, and you can’t find it everywhere.” – (Ben Johns)
Introducing his friend Kyle to boba for the first time, Johns ordered him a brown sugar milk tea.
“Brown sugar is a flavor most people like. It’s a black milk tea. And you can judge most places by how good their black milk tea is.” – (Ben Johns)
For himself, he went with a personal favorite.
“A fresh taro milk tea, no sugar, light boba, and taro paste.” – (Ben Johns)
View this post on Instagram
A True Boba Connoisseur
Johns enjoys every part of the boba experience, including the signature moment when you puncture the sealed lid with a straw. After taking a sip, he gave his initial reaction.
“My first reaction to this place is that it’s extremely good.” – (Ben Johns)
However, he had a few critiques.
“I like my fresh taro a little more grainy and fresh shavings. But fresh taro that’s really good is honestly very hard to find. I’m just happy they had it at all.” – (Ben Johns)
Johns also prefers his tea with little to no sweetness.
“Even if you ask for 0% sugar, it’ll still be kind of sweet. And I really prefer mine to the point of it being almost bitter with very little sweetness.” – (Ben Johns)
His biggest takeaway? Not all boba is created equal.
“There’s definitely a hierarchy with bubble tea places based on how good their boba is. You’d think boba is just boba, but it’s not. They actually cook it, and depending on how long they cook it, it’s like pasta—so it will be more chewy or soft. I like mine chewier or al dente, so to speak.” – (Ben Johns)
View this post on Instagram
Will This Become a New Series?
Johns wrapped up his review with an official rating.
“On a five-star scale, I’ll give this a 4.47.” – (Ben Johns)
With his frequent tournament travels to cities like Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Phoenix, Johns hinted at making his boba tea adventures into a series, sharing his favorite spots along the way. If this becomes a new feature, fans will certainly tune in to follow the pickleball GOAT’s bubble tea journey.
News in Brief: Pickleball Star Ben Johns
Pickleball player Ben Johns has revealed his love for boba tea, frequently visiting different tea shops during tournaments. During the 2025 Proton Tucson Open, he reviewed Ni Hao Tea in Tucson, giving it a 4.47-star rating. Johns hinted at turning his boba adventures into a series, sharing recommendations from his favorite spots across the country.
ALSO READ: Camila Lhuillier-Albani’s Newest Passion, Adds Her Name to the List of Celebrity Pickleball Fans
