Johnson and Falliaux Pickleball Nationals Quest: Sam Johnson and Dan Falliaux of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, earned a spot at the USA Pickleball National Championships after winning gold in men’s doubles at a Golden Ticket tournament held July 9–13 in Colorado Springs. Johnson also claimed gold in singles, securing two medals.
A Winning Team
Johnson and Falliaux captured the men’s doubles 3.5, 30+ title, while Johnson won the 4.0, 30+ singles division. These victories qualified both players for Nationals, which will be held November 15–23 in San Diego.
It will be the first trip to Nationals for the pair, though they have already competed together in tournaments across California, Arizona, and Utah.
The “Muskrat” Strategy
On the court, Johnson is known for his intensity, while Falliaux is calmer and more social. To balance their styles, they use a unique method:
“He stops me from being a total nightmare on the court to other people,” Johnson said.
“When he starts going to the dark side, I tell him ‘muskrat,’” Falliaux said. “He’s really competitive.”
Johnson admitted that the same safe word is used by his mixed doubles partner. When playing singles, however, he said, “Then I have to lock it down.”
Different Styles of Play
Johnson, who has a hockey background, enjoys both singles and doubles. Falliaux, however, prefers doubles, which he compares to a chess match.
“You’re moving players around,” he said. “The game’s more interesting to me. I have a female doubles partner and we love playing together. I just love having a teammate out on the court with me.”
Johnson agreed that his competitive spirit sometimes clashes with Falliaux’s social approach.
“He just wants to go and make best friends with everyone on the court all the time,” Johnson said. “I play every single event just to taste blood, honestly.”
Adjusting to Indoor Play
The Golden Ticket tournament was held indoors, which posed a challenge for the duo. They normally compete outdoors and had to adjust to new conditions.
“The lighting, the air, the colors of the courts all factor in,” Johnson said.
“When you’re going to dink and you’re looking down at a color you’re not used to, like the teal courts, the color kind of disappears on you,” Falliaux said. “But conversely, if you’re outdoors you’ve got the sun to deal with and the wind. The elements can be variables, versus here where it’s a controlled environment.”
How They Started
Falliaux began playing three years ago when a neighbor encouraged him to try the sport. Though once an introvert who preferred skiing and mountain biking alone, he said pickleball expanded his social circle.
“I went out once and got totally addicted and that increased,” Falliaux said. “I’m normally an introvert; I don’t put myself out to anybody. I’d mountain bike, ski and be a loner, and now I’ve met all these people, and my network has expanded with lifelong friends.”
Johnson picked up the game two years ago with his fiancée, his brother, and his brother’s fiancée.
“We were like this is a stupid sport and then here we are, two years later,” he said. “It’s changed my lifestyle. All the people at high levels trying to play this game at high levels have healthy lifestyles and improve. It’s very much a healthy, chic thing.”
A Sport for Life
Both players credit pickleball with improving their health. They now train with a personal coach who designs workouts specifically for the sport. They are also inspired by seeing players in their 80s still competing.
“It gives me a positive long-term outlook on life,” Johnson said. “You can see these people and say I could be doing this for the next 45 years.”
For Johnson, the sport represents more than competition.
“It’s not about the level we’re playing at, it’s about you’re playing against the person you were yesterday,” he said. “You get into midlife where you’re not competing like when you were young and an athlete. It’s an opportunity to compete and bring out the best parts of what childhood was — being around your friends all the time and playing games.”
News in Brief: Johnson and Falliaux Pickleball Nationals Quest
Sam Johnson and Dan Falliaux of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, won gold at a Golden Ticket tournament in Colorado Springs, qualifying for the USA Pickleball National Championships in November. Johnson also won singles gold. The duo credits their success to teamwork, training, and their shared passion for the growing sport.
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