Collin and Ben Johns End Title Drought in Epic Fashion: As pickleball continues to evolve, 2024 has sparked one of the most debated questions in the sport: Has the game passed Collin Johns by, or is he adapting to the increased pace? Collin and Ben Johns, a dominant men’s doubles duo in recent years, set an exceptionally high standard in 2023. But in 2024, their results haven’t lived up to those lofty expectations. With a game now defined by power, speed, and aggressive tactics like the “shake and bake” and quick speedups, the Johns brothers faced increased scrutiny as they entered the CIBC Atlanta Slam.
For five months, they hadn’t claimed a men’s doubles final victory, leading to rampant speculation on social media. Fans wondered if Collin was struggling to keep pace with the new style of play, with some even suggesting Ben should look for a new partner. It all came to a head in Atlanta.
The Road to the CIBC Atlanta Slam Final
Atlanta marked a pivotal moment for the Johns brothers. En route to the final, they exacted revenge on teams like Andrei Daescu/Gabe Tardio and Christian Alshon/Riley Newman, teams that had bested them recently. The final stage was set against Tyson McGuffin and Jaume Martinez Vich, two players known for their fast-paced, power-driven approach to the game.
Despite McGuffin and Martinez Vich’s explosive play, the Johns brothers won in four games, with scores of 11-4, 11-0, 6-11, and 11-4. The first two games were clinical from the Johns duo, though McGuffin and Vich pushed back with a game-three win. Ultimately, the final game proved decisive, as Collin and Ben shut the door on their critics.
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Collin’s Shift: The Numbers Don’t Lie
The match stats revealed some crucial insights, especially about Collin’s performance. Critics who questioned whether Collin could adapt to the new, faster style may have been surprised by what the numbers showed.
In the first two games, Ben Johns went 3-for-3 on speedups, executing 10 drives and 8 drops. Collin, however, stepped up with 4-for-7 speedup success, 9 drives, and 2 drops. Compare that to McGuffin, who only went 2-for-5 on speedups and had 3 drives and 1 drop. Jaume Martinez Vich, meanwhile, led McGuffin’s side with 5-for-13 speedups and 6 drops.
The critical third game, won by McGuffin and Martinez Vich, saw them refine their approach, with Vich going a perfect 5-for-5 on speedups. But in the decisive fourth game, Collin matched Vich’s pace, going 3-for-4 on speedups, indicating his willingness to push the tempo.
Changing the Narrative: Collin’s Aggressive Turn
The most striking stat is how much Collin adjusted his style for the final. In 2023, he averaged fewer than one speedup per game, but in Atlanta, he averaged over three per game. Moreover, Collin drove third shots 80% of the time, a marked change from his 2023 approach, where dropping was far more common. Collin’s adaptation wasn’t just necessary—it was pivotal to securing the victory.
As commentator Dave Fleming astutely observed during the match, Collin was “more aggressive from the get-go” and by game four, “that’s the new CJ right there.” Fleming’s analysis was spot-on, recognizing that Collin couldn’t rely on the passive playstyle that had been so successful in the past. Instead, Collin “went into the lab” and came out playing with a new, more aggressive mindset.
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News in Brief: Collin and Ben Johns End Title Drought in Epic Fashion
In the CIBC Atlanta Slam Men’s Doubles Final, Collin and Ben Johns broke a five-month title drought, defeating Tyson McGuffin and Jaume Martinez Vich in four games. Criticism of Collin’s inability to adapt to the faster, power-driven game was silenced as he dramatically increased his speedups and drove the ball aggressively throughout the match.
The final scores were 11-4, 11-0, 6-11, and 11-4. Collin’s evolution to a more assertive style was crucial in their victory and may signal a new chapter for the successful duo in 2024.
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