Ben Johns Shot Tendencies
•3rd shot (singles): Drives 90%+
•Bristol Open 3rds: Drove 19 of 26 (73%)
•From right side: Crosscourt 3x more than DTL
•From left side: ~50/50 distribution
•From center: 47% middle, 41% right, 12% left
•Forehand preference: 23/24 shots from right/center
•Serve speed: 68.35 mph fastest recorded
•Style: Smartest shot, not hardest. 9/10 picks highest-percentage shot.
Other Pro Tendencies
•Tyson McGuffin: Drives 75% 3rd shots. 96%+ forehand preference. 64.62 mph serve.
•Anna Leigh Waters: Drops 70% after deep returns, wins 80%. Higher stance. Mixed record 228-6 overall.
•JW Johnson: Low stance, fastest hands. Lobs 2-3x/game max.
•Catherine Parenteau: Pioneered 'drip' hybrid at 70% power.
•Zane Navratil: Backhand decision tree: 5 questions in real-time.
•Collin Johns: Right-side specialist. 35 PPA titles w/ Ben. 100% drops in 2023 → 58% drives by Bristol 2024.
Pro Aggregate Stats
54%
Speed-up success rate (initiator)
89%
First-to-4-pts wins (82 PPA games)
50/50
Serving first advantage (none)
20-25%
3rd shot drive error rate (Rice)
14
Consecutive PPA doubles wins by 6'+ team
66%
5th shots after drive are drops
Bristol Open Third-Shot Drive Rates (2024 IHG)
Individual Drive Rates
•Quang Duong: 27 of 32 thirds driven (84%) — highest rate
•Ben Johns: 19 of 26 thirds driven (73%)
•Collin Johns: 15 of 26 thirds driven (58%) — up from 0% in 2023
•Christian Alshon: 12 of 25 thirds driven (48%)
Historical Context
•2024 PPA data: ~49% drops vs ~51% drives — nearly even split (up from 66/34 in older data)
•Trend: Rapid evolution toward power play and aggression at pro level
•Collin shift: 100% drops (2023) → 58% drives (Bristol 2024). Strategic tip: drop XC not middle, drive middle/line.
•Lob integration: Collin Johns advocates lobbing often as 3rd shot mix-in
Speed-Up Success Rates by Team
54%
Frazier/Johnson (36W-30L)
60%
Johns/Johns hand-battle win rate
30%
Frazier/Johnson hand-battle rate
Speed-up success is remarkably consistent at ~54% across top teams. The difference-maker is hand battles: Johns/Johns converted 60% vs Frazier/Johnson at 30%. Initiating team has a slight edge, but the margin is thin.
Pro Serve Strategy
75%
FH serve → weak returns
60%
BH serve → weak returns
~1,500
Max RPM spin (40 holes limit)
~50%
5.0+ deep return rate (Rice)
Two-Handed Backhand (Twoey) Revolution
•Full twoey (all shots): Connor Garnett, Rafa Hewett, James Ignatowich
•Selective (blocks only): Collin Johns
•Selective (drives only): Tyler Loong
•Twoey dinkers: Riley Newman, Anna Bright, James Ignatowich
Twoey has proliferated due to topspin's increasing importance at the pro level.
PPA Championship Sunday Stats
Categories tracked in PPA finals broadcasts:
›Clean winners (no net-cord, no opponent paddle touch)
›Dink errors (unstressed only — into net or wide)
›Speed-up initiation success rate
›Rally-ending hand battles won/lost
›Longest rally shot count
›ATPs and Ernes
›Serve/return/third-shot errors
›Offensive lobs attempted & converted
Sample finals data:Alshon 20 clean winners vs Staksrud 7 (Mesa) · Johns/Tardio 27 vs 20, longest rally 62 shots (Texas) · Worlds longest rally 75 shots · Johns/Johns 60% hand-battle win rate vs Frazier/Johnson 30%
Riley Newman#13 · Left Side
- ›Former D1 tennis, Seattle University. 85+ PPA medals.
- ›Secret weapon: two-handed BH topspin dinks on ALL dinks.
- ›Incredible hand speed, sharp angles, elite poaching.
- ›MLP Daytona: led Premier Level in Points Won %, adjusted +/- of +11.08.
- ›Since Wright split in 2025, struggling beyond QFs — opponents adapting.
Federico Staksrud#4 Overall · #2 Singles
- ›Argentine, 17 career titles (2nd all-time behind Johns' 42).
- ›Only player on Championship Sunday in EVERY 2024 singles event.
- ›Cat-and-mouse singles: drop-to-BH sequences like Johns.
- ›2025 Worlds: 7-1 fewer serve/return errors, 13-3 fewer drive errors vs opponent.
- ›Trailed 5-0 Game 1, outscored opponent 22-5. Four doubles titles with Patriquin in 2025.
Christian Alshon#2 · Most Improved
- ›6'2". Trajectory to supplant Ben Johns at #1.
- ›Tucson singles final: 20 clean winners vs Staksrud's 7. Won last 6 pts trailing 5-7.
- ›Bristol Open: drove 12 of 25 thirds (48%).
- ›With Daescu: 3 golds in 4 events (Tucson, Mesa, Red Rock).
- ›Destroyed Bar/Frazier 11-0, 11-1 in Red Rock semis. Overcame 5-10 deficit in final.
Andrei Daescu#3 · 6'4"
- ›Romanian, former tennis coach. "7 Faces of Daescu" (Better Pickleball).
- ›Elite dinking: "only person who can out-dink Johns from left side."
- ›Cincinnati final: zero errors on serves, returns, thirds, or dinks.
- ›2-1 record vs Ben Johns teams in 2025 men's doubles.
- ›4 golds in 2025 doubles. Seamless defense-to-offense transitions.
James Ignatowich#19 · 6'3"
- ›Former Vanderbilt D1 tennis. One of biggest serves in the pros.
- ›Won 9 of 11 pts with serve alone in a 2v1 exhibition.
- ›Full twoey on ALL shots: drives, volleys, dinks, blocks.
- ›Plans 3rd-5th counter-attack sequences in advance.
- ›Founded RPM paddle company — paddle at legal PBCoR limit for power.
Dylan Frazier#10 · Pioneer
- ›11 men's doubles titles with JW Johnson (2nd most ever).
- ›Pioneer of active right-side play: moves center for FH, 50/50 coverage.
- ›PPA Championships final: 3 ATPs + 1 Erne + 5 offensive lobs (4 winners).
- ›Cat-and-mouse play + huge forehand groundstroke.
- ›Split from JW in 2025 with desire to play left side.
Anna Bright#2 WD · #3 Mixed
- ›Former D1 tennis UC Berkeley (#13 nationally). Hiked 2,650-mi PCT.
- ›135+ career medals, est. $300K+ prize money. JOOLA signature athlete.
- ›Two-handed backhand is her signature weapon.
- ›Serve clocked at 56.54 mph. Aggressive attack + defensive consistency.
- ›Writes "Brighter Pickleball" newsletter — exceptionally high PB IQ.
Jorja JohnsonTop 5 Women
- ›JW Johnson's sister. No tennis background — started at 7, pro at 14 (2020).
- ›Triple Crown at 2024 APP Sacramento Open.
- ›One of most aggressive young players: powerful groundstrokes, fearless.
- ›Added sneaky twoey speed-ups in 2024. Drives on 3rd shots.
- ›Versatile left/right side. Ranked #3 overall women end of 2024.
Jade KawamotoTied #8 · Lefty
- ›Only top female lefty in pro PB. Twin w/ Jackie. D1 tennis, U. of Dayton.
- ›64.1% career win rate. 37-13 doubles in last 12 months (9-match streak).
- ›Per Anna Bright: "toughest person to attack off the bounce" in women's.
- ›BH dink is a "random number generator" — opponents cannot read placement.
- ›Cincinnati PPA Slam: zero UE from baseline or transition in last 3 matches. Covers 70% of court w/ Jackie.
Callie Smith~#18-20 · 11x Champ
- ›Former D1 tennis (Utah, PAC-12). 483 career matches, 53.6% win rate.
- ›11-time PPA Tour Champion. Chicago Slice (MLP).
- ›Amazing defense + arsenal of Ernes.
- ›Becoming more offensively oriented to match power evolution.
- ›Upset Waters/Parenteau in QF at 2025 Texas Open with Tuionetoa.
Lea Jansen#16 · WSU Tennis
- ›Type 1 diabetic. 718 career matches, 61.7% win rate.
- ›Aggressive baseline play — FH crosscourt drive leaves opponents flat-footed.
- ›Drives more than many women's players. Initiates speed-ups with FH.
- ›Significant dinking/defense improvement in 2024. Meditates before matches.
- ›"Talent justifies higher ranking, but not her results" — plays for Columbus Sliders (MLP).
Vivienne David56.9% Win Rate
- ›Canadian-born, 5'4". Father founded Pickleball Global.
- ›"David Defense" — elite dinking with constant spin variation (backspin then topspin).
- ›Wins 73% of points beyond 8 shots in women's doubles.
- ›71% win rate in matches averaging 20+ minutes.
- ›Tennis-style split-step footwork (rare in PB). Master of putting out fires at kitchen.
Pro Doubles Tendencies
Stacking & Switching
•Stacking purpose: Keep each partner on preferred side. Near-universal in mixed doubles.
•Righty-lefty combo: Two forehands in the middle — Kawamoto twins are ideal example.
•Hand signals: Open palm = switch/stack, closed fist = stay, finger wiggle = fake switch.
•Movement: Move as a unit — 'tethered by an 8-10 foot rope.'
Drive-Then-Drop Combo (2024 OC Cup)
•5th shot after drive: 66% drops, 31% firm volley (S&B), 3% drives/lobs
•Rally length: Only 17% end on 3rd/4th shot after a drive
•When rally ends early: 58% favor receiving team
•Middle attacks: 'Down the middle solves the riddle' — highest-percentage at all levels.
Serve Speed Leaderboard (2025 JOOLA Legends)
64.62
Tyson McGuffin (mph)
59.03
Zoey Wang (mph, women's fastest)
Pro Ready Position Styles
JW Johnson — Low
Paddle held low for relaxed arm and faster reactions. Relies on wrist speed to reach high balls.
Ben Johns — Middle
Paddle at belly-button height for maximum versatility. Balanced for high or low shots.
Anna Leigh Waters — High
Paddle held high. Works well for twoey players who need the paddle up for two-handed shots.
Julian ArnoldTop 20 · Volair
- ›Former D1 tennis at UCLA. Founded Volair paddle brand. Pro since 2022.
- ›One of most passionate players — 'ANDIAMO!' Known for ferocious ball tracking.
- ›At 5'10", relies on athleticism over size. Tennis-quality groundstrokes.
- ›Doubles W-L last 12 months: 18-19. Hasn't broken consistent top-8 singles.
- ›Beat Dylan Frazier 9-11, 11-6, 11-4 in 2023 Indoor Championships singles.
Tyler Loong~Top 25 · 49.7% WR
- ›93 tournaments, 501 career matches. Twoey selectively (drives only).
- ›"Bronze stallion" — consistently competitive but rarely gold.
- ›H2H: 22.2% vs Frazier, 32.1% vs Staksrud, 25% vs JW, 25% vs McGuffin.
- ›With Garnett: beat Sock/Roddy 11-7, 10-12, 11-5 at Texas Open 2025.
Pablo Tellez#14 · Lefty
- ›Former NCAA DII National Tennis Champion (West Florida, 2017).
- ›Left-handed — critical strategic advantage. 'Crafty shots.'
- ›With Dekel Bar in 2025: multiple finals, 'ready for each other's thirds.'
- ›Left-hand allows partners to play left side naturally.
Matt Wright~#11-15 · Veteran
- ›'Keeps defying age with some of the quickest hands on tour.'
- ›Won PPA Austin with Daescu (2024). Silver in Atlanta with Staksrud.
- ›'Whoever Matt plays with has a good chance of medaling.'
- ›Alpha-style player, highly adaptable partner. Weakness: age factor.
Jessie Irvine#15 · UCLA
- ›Former WTA Pro Tennis player. Partners with Parenteau (WD), Tardio (Mixed).
- ›Won gold in mixed with Tardio in 2024. Teaches 'slinky/accordion' drill.
- ›'Has more power than people think' but tendency to retreat at kitchen holds her back.
- ›Proved critics wrong in 2024 after being called 'washed up.'
Collin JohnsActive · Right Side
- ›33 PPA doubles titles with Ben (35 career total). 74% podium rate, 56% title rate, 43 medals.
- ›Game designed entirely to complement Ben as right-side specialist.
- ›Signature 'slide backhand' — fading BH technique designed by Ben to cover right side.
- ›100% drops in 2023 → 58% drives by Bristol 2024. Dramatic strategic shift.
- ›Tips: drop XC not middle; drive middle/line not XC; lob often. Transitioned to coaching/content.
Legendary Partnership Records
228-6
Waters/Johns overall mixed record
45-1
Waters/Johns in finals
35
Collin/Ben PPA doubles titles
11
Frazier/JW doubles titles (2nd ever)
The dominant era of Johns/Johns partnership ended at 2025 PPA Masters. Collin transitioned to coaching. The "PB is not designed to be played 50/50" philosophy defined their approach — Ben took the court, Collin set up and defended.
Sources: PPA Tour (Professional tournament data & rankings) · The Dink (News, strategy analysis & player profiles) · USA Pickleball (Official rules, ratings & certification) · Rice University (Physics of pickleball research) · PickleballScience.org (Paddle physics & equipment science research) · WSU Sports Science Lab (Paddle/ball dynamics research (Lloyd Smith)) · MDPI (Open-access peer-reviewed sports science journals) · Journal of Sports Sciences (Biomechanics & performance analysis studies) · PPA Championships (Professional tournament statistics & finals data) · Taylor & Francis (Match activity profile & performance analysis research)