Downgrade of Collin Johns in Pickleball: In pickleball, few partnerships have stood out like that of Ben and Collin Johns. As a team, they have enjoyed a remarkable run of dominance. Yet, each time they stumble, the internet erupts with speculation about whether Ben should find a new partner. The recent loss to Hayden Patriquin and Pablo Tellez in the Orange County Cup at San Clemente quarterfinals has reignited this debate, with many amateur pundits quick to suggest that Collin is holding Ben back.
The Synergy of the Johns Partnership
Ben Johns has long been recognized as the premier player in the sport, holding the top spot and widely regarded as the best in the game. Collin, meanwhile, has played a crucial but often underappreciated role. His job has been to maintain rallies, absorb pressure, and force opponents to engage with Ben. This strategy has proven highly effective, leveraging Collin’s consistency and Ben’s ability to finish points with precision and power.
The success of the Johns duo is built on a foundation of synergy. Collin’s role on the right side of the court is to be a stabilizing force, ensuring that the ball stays in play and creating opportunities for Ben to attack. Collin’s game is designed to be non-intrusive, focusing on consistency and defense. He excels at dropping shots, resetting points, and engaging in crosscourt dinks. His aim is to neutralize the opponent’s offense until Ben can step in and seize the advantage.
Changing Dynamics in Professional Pickleball
The landscape of professional pickleball has shifted dramatically in recent years. The equipment, players, and strategies have evolved, affecting even the top teams. Modern paddles are more powerful, enhancing topspin and overall shot speed. The introduction of the Vulcan ball, which rewards topspin more than the traditional Dura ball, has further tilted the balance towards offensive play.
Additionally, the player pool has deepened significantly. There are now more highly skilled athletes capable of challenging the top seeds from the early rounds of tournaments. A year ago, top players could expect an easier path through the initial rounds, but today, every match from the round of 16 onward is fiercely competitive.
Collin Johns’ Game in a New Era
Collin Johns has excelled in his role, but the demands of the game are changing. His play style remains defensive, characterized by drops, resets, and crosscourt dinks. In contrast, modern pickleball increasingly rewards aggression. Drives, speedups, and counters have become essential components of success. Collin’s reluctance to engage in these tactics has led to vulnerabilities, especially against newer, more aggressive players.
Collin’s primary approach has been to avoid making mistakes, and maintain a steady, consistent game. He rarely initiates attacks, preferring to drop rather than drive the ball, and his speedups are few and far between. When faced with an offensive play from opponents, Collin tends to reset the rally rather than counterattack. His conservative style has served the Johns well in the past, but the evolving nature of the sport raises questions about its effectiveness moving forward.
Increasing Challenges in 2024
The year 2024 has seen the Johns lose more matches than ever before. This raises an important question: is Collin’s play to blame, or are there other factors at work? Several key changes in the sport have contributed to the increased challenges faced by the Johns.
First, the equipment has undergone significant improvements. Modern paddles are night-and-day different from those used three to five years ago, offering greater power and spin. These advancements have made aggressive shots, such as drives and speedups, more effective. Second, the ball itself has changed. The Vulcan ball rewards topspin, a development that has dramatically altered gameplay. Topspin shots are now more prevalent and impactful, changing the dynamics of rallies and points.
Third, the level of competition has intensified. The pool of professional players has grown, and the overall skill level has risen. Matches that were once predictable have become highly competitive, with no easy rounds. The top seeds must now battle through tough matches from the very beginning of a tournament.
The Evolving Style of Men’s Doubles
These changes have led to a shift in the style of men’s doubles play. Historically, defense was paramount. The winning formula involved dropping the third shot, reaching the net, engaging in dinks, and waiting for an opportunity to attack. If attacked, the focus was on resetting the point and resuming the dink game. This approach relied heavily on patience and consistency.
In 2024, the offense has become more prominent. Driving the third shot is now common, creating opportunities for outright winners or follow-up attacks. Speedups off the bounce are more effective due to the increased topspin and speed generated by modern paddles. Players are now more adept at countering aggressive shots, turning defense into offense quickly.
Assessing Collin’s Fit in the Modern Game
Collin Johns’ game has not adapted well to these changes. He continues to rely on drops and resets, avoiding drives and speedups. His reluctance to counterattack when faced with aggressive plays has made him a target for opponents. Pro players recognize that attacking Collin carries less risk, as he is more likely to reset the point than to counter with an offensive shot.
When Ben and Collin lose, it is typically because they are out-offensed. Opponents take the initiative, driving, speeding up, and attacking more frequently. The majority of these attacks are directed at Collin, exploiting his conservative style. While Collin remains an excellent defensive player, his lack of offensive contribution has led to an increasing number of defeats.
Exploring Potential New Partners for Ben
Given the current dynamics, it might be time for Ben to consider a new partner who can complement his strengths with a more offensive game. Here are a few possibilities:
Matt Wright: Wright has teamed up with Ben before with reasonable success. While his game is similar to Collin’s, he offers better drives and more frequent speedups, though his dinking isn’t as strong. Wright’s ability to initiate offensive plays could provide a new dimension to the partnership, although it remains to be seen if this would outweigh Collin’s defensive strengths.
Augie Ge: As a lefty, Ge could bring a unique dynamic to the team. His all-around solid game and effective backhand drive would complement Ben’s style well. Ge’s left-handed play could create favorable angles and open up new strategic possibilities, enhancing their overall effectiveness.
Gabe Tardio: Tardio’s counters are exceptional, and his sneaky speedups and adequate drive could add the offensive edge Ben needs. His solid defense and potential for growth make him a promising long-term partner. Tardio’s ability to counterattack effectively would alleviate some of the pressure on Ben, allowing them to balance defense and offense more dynamically.
Hayden Patriquin: A sleeper pick, Patriquin has shown his capability on the right side. His versatile game and fast hands, despite some inconsistency in counters, could make him a valuable partner for Ben. Patriquin’s recent success in men’s doubles, including a gold medal win with Federico Staksrud, demonstrates his potential to thrive alongside Ben.
Riley Newman: Although unlikely due to his current status, Newman’s game translates well to the right side. His defensive skills, coupled with effective counters and backhand speedups, make him an ideal candidate. Newman’s versatility and ability to switch between offensive and defensive playstyles would provide a significant boost to Ben’s game.
The Future of the Johns Duo
The changing nature of the men’s doubles game, with its shift towards offensive play, challenges the traditional strengths of the Johns partnership. While Collin’s defensive skills have been crucial, adapting to the evolving game may necessitate a change.
Should Ben and Collin continue their partnership, they will still find success. However, the level of dominance they once enjoyed might be harder to maintain in the highly competitive environment of 2024 and beyond. The PPA Tour is filled with talented players, and the unpredictability of the game ensures that no pairing, even one as storied as the Johns brothers, can rest easy.
The question remains: will a change in partnership unlock even greater success for Ben Johns, or will the synergy he shares with Collin prove irreplaceable? Only time, and the ever-evolving landscape of professional pickleball, will tell. The future of Ben Johns’ doubles career may well depend on finding the right balance between innovation and the tried-and-true formula that has brought him and his brother so much success.
News in Brief: Downgrade of Collin Johns in Pickleball
Ben and Collin Johns have dominated men’s doubles pickleball, but their recent loss to Hayden Patriquin and Pablo Tellez has sparked debate about their partnership. While Ben is recognized as the top player, Collin plays a crucial yet often defensive role, focusing on consistency rather than aggression. As pickleball evolves towards a more offensive game, Collin’s conservative style raises concerns about its effectiveness. The increasing competitiveness of the sport has led to more losses for the Johns in 2024. Speculation about potential new partners for Ben, such as Matt Wright or Gabe Tardio, highlights the need for a more offensive dynamic. The future of their partnership may hinge on adapting to these changing demands in the sport.
Our Readers Queries:
Ques: Are Ben Johns and Collin Johns brothers?
Ans: Yes, Ben Johns and Collin Johns are indeed brothers. Both are prominent figures in the pickleball world, showcasing their talent and synergy on the court. Ben, often hailed as one of the sport’s top players, teams up with his brother Collin, making them a formidable duo in doubles play. Their familial connection undoubtedly enhances their coordination and performance, solidifying their status as a dominant force in the pickleball scene.
Ques: Who is Collin Johns Mixed Doubles’ partner?
Ans: Collin Johns’ mixed doubles partner is none other than the talented Anna Leigh Waters. Together, they form a dynamic pair, blending their skills and strategies to compete fiercely on the pickleball court. Waters’ agility and precision complement Johns’ power and experience, making them a formidable team in the mixed doubles circuit. Their partnership is one to watch in the ever-evolving world of pickleball.
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