Ben Johns Pickleball Interview: Ben Johns, the top player in pro pickleball, spoke about his career and love for the sport on CNN News Central with Erica Hill on Friday. The interview was part of coverage for Major League Pickleball New York, taking place in New York City. Johns shared insights on the growth of pickleball and his personal journey.
Ben Johns explained that he never expected to become a professional athlete when he first played the game.
“Absolutely not. I just picked it up in 2016 as kind of a fun game, just like anybody that plays normally. It’s a very enjoyable sport, and some nine years later, I find myself playing professional pickleball tournaments in New York City and here in a wonderful studio, so it’s a cool life.”
Growth of the Sport
The discussion highlighted how much the sport has changed since Johns started.
“It’s only five years in. The pro tour started in 2020. Just miraculous growth in every way. Fans are super engaged, more networks covering events, and more and more pro players, so on the circuit it’s more and more competitive. There’s also more selection of tournaments internationally. We’re going to Asia later this year. It’s been a very cool journey so far, and I’m just looking forward to all the things happening in pro pickleball.”
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Why He Loves Pickleball
When Erica Hill asked what he likes most about playing, Johns shared that the sport welcomes everyone.
“There’s a lot of things about pickleball that are really engaging, but it was the same for me initially as it is for most people now, which is just that you can play with anybody and have a great time. I started in a community where it was mostly elderly people, and I still enjoyed playing with them. I love to just meet new people, and I think that has continued, not just to be a sport for older people, but a sport for everybody. Anybody can play, and because of that you meet a lot of people you wouldn’t otherwise meet in kind of your normal day-to-day lifestyle, so it’s just a very interesting sport in that it kind of brings a lot of people together from very different backgrounds.”
Thinking About the Future
Erica Hill asked Ben Johns if he planned to keep playing or try something new by age 30.
“We’ll see. I never plan my life out that far ahead. I’m just enjoying every day, every year one at a time. If I get to 30 and I’m just like, ‘You know what? I’ve had enough. It’s been fun,’ then sure, but if I still love it at that time, then I’ll keep going.”
Advice for Amateurs
Johns also shared tips for people who want to improve their game.
“You don’t need to go for the ‘hero’ shot. You don’t want to be a ‘zero’ when you go for the ‘hero’ shot. Pickleball is all about making one more ball. It’s really not that hard. You just don’t need to go for too much at a time. Pickleball really comes down to shot selection more than anything for success, so just make one more ball than your opponents, and you’ll win the game.”
This conversation showed how far pickleball has come in a short time. As the sport grows, more people will learn about it, and more players may follow in Ben Johns’ footsteps. Johns plans to keep enjoying the game and seeing where it takes him next.
News in Brief: Ben Johns Pickleball Interview
Ben Johns spoke on CNN News Central about his start in pickleball, the sport’s quick rise, and why he loves it. He also shared advice for new players and said he might try something different by age 30 but is happy playing now.
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