Yates Johnson Pickleball Comeback Story: Professional pickleball player Yates Johnson is back on the court after being sidelined for 10 months due to a groin injury. The injury happened during a quarterfinal match against Connor Garnett at the CIBC Atlanta Slam in September 2024. Johnson didn’t need surgery, but his recovery had no clear timeline, making it a difficult and uncertain process.
A Painful Injury with No Clear End
During his match against Connor Garnett, Yates Johnson felt something go wrong after hitting a return.
“I hit a return, my left foot slipped, and I felt a couple of pops in my hip and groin area. I went on to win the game, but I had some sharp pain,”. “Afterwards, I ended up getting an MRI and found out I had a groin injury.”(Yates Johnson)
Though he avoided surgery, the recovery process kept him away from competition for nearly a year. This period was filled with frustration and a lot of waiting.
“It was a brutal injury because I didn’t know if it was going to take six weeks or a year. It was just a lot of sitting around and waiting to see when it recovered,”.
“Recovery is boring, but it’s what you have to do. I was pretty limited for the first few months, just going to the gym and working on my upper body.”(Yates Johnson)
Staying Involved Through Coaching
Even though Yates Johnson couldn’t play, he still stayed close to the game by helping his twin brother, Hunter Johnson. He traveled with him, sat courtside, and coached during matches.
“It was great to fall into a coaching role and I enjoyed it because there wasn’t much I could do than just support Hunter. I was totally fine with it,”.
“It helped me see patterns and weaknesses. I’m pretty analytical, but watching and helping coach has helped me to see the ball a little differently now.”(Yates Johnson)
During this time, Hunter Johnson reached World No. 2 in men’s singles, just behind Federico Staksrud. Yates took pride in supporting his brother’s rise and used the opportunity to learn and grow.
Ready to Compete Again
Now healthy, Yates Johnson is looking forward to returning to competition in the second half of the season. His time away has made him even more motivated, and he now plays with less pressure and more freedom.
“It’s been tough being here when you’re sidelined. And I’m so happy for Hunter because he’s gone on to win six golds now, a couple of silvers and bronzes,”.
“It’s been really cool to see him take off and it gives me confidence because I think I can do the same now that I’m fully healthy.”(Yates Johnson)
“There’s not really an expectation because I have nothing to lose,”. “I’m going out there and having fun, and that’s a dangerous spot to be in for your competitors because if you don’t have anything to lose, you’re playing free and having fun.”(Yates Johnson)
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Staying Positive Through Setbacks
Despite a long recovery, Yates Johnson has kept a positive mindset. He leaned on his faith to stay strong and focused during tough times.
“For me, it’s really just leaning on my faith and trusting God that there’s a bigger plan. Everyone is going to have setbacks and injuries, and that’s just a part of the sport. You can’t have peaks without the valleys,”.
“When things are out of your control and out of your hands, there’s not any reason to stress about it and get worked up. I just had faith that eventually I’m going to get better and my time will come.”(Yates Johnson)
Now that he’s back, Yates Johnson is ready to compete and will be a player to watch in the upcoming months.
News in Brief: Yates Johnson Pickleball Comeback Story
Yates Johnson has returned to pickleball after a 10-month break due to a groin injury. Hurt during the CIBC Atlanta Slam in September 2024, Johnson spent time coaching his twin brother, Hunter Johnson. Now fully healed, Yates is back on the court, feeling confident and ready to compete again.