JW Johnson and CJ Klinger Stun Rivals: JW Johnson and CJ Klinger won their first title as a doubles team after defeating Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio in straight games—11-9, 11-9, 11-7—at the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships on Sunday. The win came as a big moment for Johnson and Klinger, who had lost to the same pair in a past event.
Turning Point in Game Two
The match’s key moment came during the second game when Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio were ahead 9-4. But JW Johnson and CJ Klinger came back strong, scoring seven straight points in a single turn at serve. That comeback gave them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five match.
From there, Johnson and Klinger stayed solid. They played steady, smart pickleball to close out the third game and win the title without dropping a game.
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Klinger Shines at the Net
CJ Klinger stood out with his fast reactions and long reach at the kitchen line. His quick hands helped win fast-paced rallies and kept pressure on Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio throughout the match.
“I think a lot of that comes from practice and hard work and dedication. My dad’s a big part of it, so big thanks to him. He’s the best coach out there.” – (Klinger)
A Comeback and a Payback
This win meant more to JW Johnson and CJ Klinger because they had lost to Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Veolia North Carolina Open just last month.
Ben Johns, who will play for the men’s singles gold later on Sunday, gave credit to the winners.
“Those guys played really well. They both obviously have great hands, and that made it tough when we got into some of the long, extended points. I think our thirds could have been a little better. They got into the net a little more than we did, and oftentimes matches come down to that.” – (johns)
What the Win Means
This first title together shows how strong JW Johnson and CJ Klinger can be as a team. With their comeback win and strong play at the net, they’ve proven they’re ready to take on top opponents. Fans can expect to see more from this pair in future tournaments.
News in Brief: JW Johnson and CJ Klinger Stun Rivals
JW Johnson and CJ Klinger won their first title as a team by beating Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 at the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships. The win was especially sweet as a payback for their earlier loss to the same team last month.