The professional pickleball world was recently met with the news that Ben and Collin Johns, one of the sport's most dominant partnerships in this era of of the sport, will be parting ways heading into 2025. As this chapter closes on one of pickleball's most successful teams, we want to take a look at the remarkable statistics that defined their partnership and explore how they have helped shape the game.
By the Numbers
The statistics behind the Johns brothers' partnership tell a story of unprecedented dominance. From 2020 through 2023, they maintained win percentages that redefined excellence in professional pickleball. Their peak came in 2023 with an extraordinary 93.51% win rate, securing 72 victories against just 5 losses. This followed equally impressive showings in 2020/2021 (91.38%) and 2022 (90.11%).
With an 81.71% win rate in 2024 (67 wins, 15 losses), the Johns brothers showed signs of change while maintaining a level of success most partnerships dream of. Their consistency across seasons set competitive standards in professional pickleball. Meanwhile, competition is tougher than ever. Ben remains number 1, but Collin, once ranked in the mid-teens for male doubles, has dropped to 33rd over the last year. The sport has evolved around them with new talent raising the bar.
Medal Count and Tournament Dominance
Their tournament achievements paint an even more compelling picture. Across 66 tournaments, they accumulated 52 medals - 43 golds, 8 silvers, and 1 bronze. This translates to a remarkable 79% podium percentage and a 65% rate of securing gold medals. Their year-by-year consistency tells its own story:
- 2024/2025: 8 gold medals (tour-leading), 2 silvers
- 2023: 13 gold medals, 1 silver - their most dominant year
- 2022: 13 gold medals, 4 silvers - establishing their dynasty
- 2021/2020: 9 gold medals, 1 silver, 1 bronze (in just 12 tournaments)
To put these numbers in perspective, Ben Johns has accumulated 43 career gold medals in men's doubles, while Collin has 33. The next closest competitor, Matt Wright, stands at 18. As a team, their 33 gold medals significantly outpace other partnerships - Frazier/Johnson and Newman/Wright follow with 10 and 8 golds respectively (Pickleball.com).
The 2024 Transition Year
The 2024 season marked a notable shift in their dominance, coinciding with broader changes in professional pickleball. The sport's evolution toward a more power-driven style presented new challenges to their traditionally patient, strategic approach. Their 81.71% win rate, while still impressive, represented the first time in four years they performed below the 90% threshold.
This transition reflected larger changes in professional pickleball, where the emphasis shifted from the dinking game to a more aggressive, power-based style. The introduction of new equipment and evolving tactics meant that the patient, methodical approach that had served them so well faced new challenges.
The Johns brothers' adaptation to these changes, while successful by most standards, couldn't quite match their previous levels of dominance.
Tournament-by-Tournament Analysis
A closer look at their tournament performances reveals remarkable consistency. In their 58 tournaments together, they reached at least the semifinals in 51 events - an 88% rate of deep tournament runs. This level of consistency is particularly impressive given the increasing depth of talent in professional pickleball and the physical demands of the modern game.
Their ability to perform under pressure was equally notable. In gold medal matches, they maintained a winning percentage above 80%, demonstrating their capacity to elevate their game when the stakes were highest. This clutch performance helped establish their reputation as the team to beat in any major tournament.
Individual Achievements and Partnership Synergy
While both players brought individual strengths to the partnership, their success stemmed from exceptional teamwork and complementary skills. Ben's aggressive style and dynamic shot-making paired perfectly with Collin's steady defensive play and consistent resetting ability. This combination created a partnership that could adapt to any opponent's strategy while maintaining their own high level of play.
Their individual achievements within the partnership are equally impressive. Ben's 43 career gold medals in men's doubles set a standard that may never be matched, while Collin's 33 gold medals would be a career-defining achievement for most players, highlighting the extraordinary nature of their partnership.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As both players look toward 2025, the professional pickleball landscape enters a new era. Ben Johns, widely regarded as one of the sport's premier players, has several potential high-profile partnerships on the horizon. For Collin, who has demonstrated particular strength on the right side, opportunities exist to forge new partnerships that could showcase different aspects of his game.
The dissolution of this partnership will lead to changes across professional pickleball as players adjust their strategies for the 2025 season. The season is expected to be one of the most dynamic in recent memory, with new partnerships and rivalries forming.
It has been rumored that Ben will team up with Gabe Tardio, Hayden Patriquin, and Maxwell Freeman, a left-handed player, along with potentially others not mentioned. The combination of an aggressive right-handed player with a lefty-righty duo will be closely watched, as Ben has previously stated that this type of pairing could be the future of the game’s top partnerships.
Overall, the Johns brothers' partnership represents more than just statistical excellence - it established a benchmark that may stand unchallenged in professional pickleball. Their consistent performance over multiple years, maintaining extraordinary win percentages and accumulating medals at an unprecedented rate, speaks to a level of dominance rarely seen in any sport.
Their legacy extends beyond their on-court achievements. They helped establish professional pickleball's competitive standards, influenced training methodologies, and contributed to the sport's growing popularity. While their partnership may be ending, their impact on the sport will continue to be felt for years to come.
Attribution: Data and background information sourced from DUPR and Pickleball.com
