Ben Johns and Collin Johns Split: Ben Johns and Collin Johns, the long-time dominant men’s doubles team in pickleball, have officially ended their partnership after years of remarkable success. The decision comes after a challenging 2024 season, where shifts in the pro pickleball landscape tested their game and reduced their dominance.
A Legacy of Success Meets New Challenges
Ben and Collin Johns have been a force in pickleball, achieving unparalleled success as the #1 men’s doubles team for years. However, their dominance began to wane in 2024.
They still maintained an impressive 80% win rate, but this marked a decline compared to previous seasons when their win rate often exceeded 90%. Their performance in Major League Pickleball (MLP) was solid but not extraordinary, with their team, Carolina, failing to make the playoffs.
In Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) tournaments, the duo experienced a rare five-month drought without a gold medal in men’s doubles. Despite strong finishes in several events, their inability to consistently secure top placements hinted at the challenges they faced adapting to an evolving game.
The Rise of the Power Game
One of the major shifts in pro pickleball during 2024 was the emergence of the power game. Players like Zane Navratil and Erik Lange demonstrated the effectiveness of power-focused strategies, winning medals with relentless drives and speedups. This new style began to dominate the sport, reducing the effectiveness of traditional dink-based play.
The Johns brothers, known for their patient dink game and strategic play, struggled to adapt fully to this change. Ben’s ability to attack from the air remained strong, but Collin’s weaker drives and speedups became a vulnerability. Opponents exploited this, gaining an edge in the fast-paced speedup exchanges that now defined the game.
Calls for Change and Final Decision
Collin worked hard to adapt, incorporating more drives and speedups into his game, but these were not his strengths. As other teams and players adjusted better to the evolving style, the gap between the Johns and their competition narrowed.
In July 2024, a column advocating for Ben to consider a new partner gained traction. While acknowledging Collin’s exceptional reset skills, the article argued that the changing dynamics of the game required a different approach. Five months later, Ben Johns made the decision to end their partnership.
A New Chapter Ahead
The split signals a significant shift in men’s doubles pickleball. While Ben Johns looks to form a new partnership suited to the modern game, Collin Johns may also pursue new opportunities to hone his play style. This decision highlights the sport’s rapid evolution and the need for even the best players to adapt to stay competitive.
As fans reflect on the legacy of the Johns brothers, their contributions to pickleball remain undeniable. Their partnership set a standard for excellence and inspired countless players, even as the sport moves into a new era.
News in Brief: Ben Johns and Collin Johns Split
Ben Johns and Collin Johns, the long-dominant men’s doubles team in pickleball, have ended their partnership after a challenging 2024 season. Despite maintaining an 80% win rate, they faced difficulty adapting to the sport’s evolving power game, marked by faster drives and speedups.
The rise of players like Zane Navratil highlighted their struggle to keep pace with the new style. Ben will seek a new partner, while Collin explores refining his play. The split marks the end of an iconic era in pickleball.
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