Professional pickleball player Ben Johns, one of the sport's most dominant figures, admitted that there is one part of his game he is still not fully satisfied with, his two-handed backhand, while also referencing World No.1 Anna Leigh Waters for comparison.
Speaking candidly to The Kitchen Pickleball about his strengths and weaknesses, Johns said that while some parts of his game quietly help him win matches, his two-handed backhand still feels less fluid than he would like. "The hate is easier," he said. "I just wish I had a smoother two-handed backhand, how it moves and how easily I can generate power."
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Johns acknowledged that, compared to other parts of his game, the shot lacks effortless power. "It's not nearly as fluid as the other stuff that I have," he noted.
While Johns explained that power on the backhand can still be effective at the kitchen line due to the shorter distance involved, the limitation becomes more apparent from the baseline. "Power gets by at the kitchen line when I hit it because you're closer," he said. "But at the baseline, when you see her hit a groundstroke, it's like, oh. I would like that kinetic chain."
In making his point, Johns referenced Anna Leigh Waters, widely regarded as one of the most explosive players in the women's game. "If you look at Anna Leigh, it looks like effortless power," he said. "I'm like, 'God, can I have that as a two-handed backhand?"
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In another interview, Johns praised Waters' style of play, saying that if they played men's doubles together, she could take them to the finals, while also highlighting her dedication and resilience in the sport. The duo recently capped off a gold medal at the PPA Carvana Masters in mixed doubles, further solidifying their status as one of the best partnerships in the game.
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(Written By Riya Mishra)
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