Ben Johns Tests New Partnership: The Proton Tucson Open, the third Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) event of the 2025 season, is set to feature an exciting new men’s doubles pairing. Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin will team up for the first time, bringing together one of the sport’s most dominant players with one of its rising teenage stars.
A Fresh Partnership in Tucson
Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin will make their debut as a team at the Proton Tucson Open, marking Ben Johns’ first tournament since ending his long-standing partnership with his brother, Collin Johns. The Johns brothers closed their successful run with a title at the 2025 PPA Masters, solidifying their legacy as one of the most consistent teams in pickleball history.
While Ben Johns is set to play most of the 2025 season with Gabriel Tardio, he saw an opportunity to partner with Hayden Patriquin for Tucson and embraced the challenge. Hayden Patriquin, known for his fast hands and aggressive shot-making, is widely regarded as one of the sport’s top young talents.
What Makes This Duo Exciting?
Ben Johns has been a dominant force in professional pickleball for years, and his experience, strategy, and precision are unmatched. However, this marks one of the few times he will be playing without his brother, Collin Johns, adding intrigue to how he adapts to a new partnership.
Ben Johns is particularly impressed with Hayden Patriquin’s aggressive third-shot drives and deceptive placements. These skills, he believes, will pair well with his methodical and controlled approach.
“Hayden Patriquin’s hands are phenomenal, and he will be a menace in any hands-based rallies.” – (Ben Johns)
View this post on Instagram
Potential Challenges and Adjustments
One challenge that Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin will need to navigate is court positioning. Traditionally, Ben Johns has played a dominant left-side role, where he controls points and dictates the pace. Meanwhile, Hayden Patriquin is used to covering more ground on the right side, meaning they will have to adjust their positioning and responsibilities.
To prepare for this transition, the two have been training together in Florida, working on movement and communication to ensure smooth court coverage.
“We had good chemistry and moved well together.” – (Hayden Patriquin)
adding that he is comfortable allowing Ben Johns to take more court if needed. Ben Johns also expressed confidence in their ability to adjust, recognizing that pattern-based familiarity will take time to develop but is not a major concern.
What to Expect in Tucson?
The Proton Tucson Open will serve as an important test for this new pairing, with many eyes watching to see if Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin can quickly develop chemistry and challenge the tour’s top teams.
Adding to the anticipation is the potential for a quarterfinal matchup between Riley Newman and Matt Wright versus Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin. A showdown between these two teams would be one of the most highly anticipated matches of the event.
Regardless of the outcome, this tournament will provide valuable insight into whether this partnership has long-term potential or if Ben Johns will return to more familiar pairings for future events.
News in Brief: Ben Johns Tests New Partnership
Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin are set to debut as a team at the Proton Tucson Open. Ben Johns, who recently ended his successful doubles partnership with Collin Johns, is excited about pairing with rising teenage star Hayden Patriquin. Their chemistry in practice has been promising, and they could face Riley Newman and Matt Wright in the quarterfinals.
ALSO READ: Jay Devilliers Reflects on Melbourne PPA Experience After Winning Double Bronze