Ben Johns Upset in San Clemente

The pickleball world was rocked when Ben Johns was defeated in the first round by Rafael Lenhard. After losing the first game, Ben seemed to be on the path to victory, leading 9-2 in the second game. However, the match ended in controversy with a double bounce no-call that left everyone guessing. Was it really a double bounce? We want to hear your thoughts.

Drama and Player Updates

Before the action even began at the PPA in San Clemente, Riley had to withdraw due to a hip injury, Dekel was out with illness, and Quang was sidelined by a PPA contract issue. On a brighter note, Grayson Goldin and Judit Castillo made their PPA debuts after crossing over from the APP.

A Battle of Podcasters and Other Highlights

I faced off against fellow podcaster Tyler Loong in singles, securing a victory 5 and 5 and winning the right for a two-minute monologue on his podcast. Let me know your ideas for my segment on King of the Court this week. Other highlights included Wyatt and Judit’s upset over Pablo and Chao and Jack Sock making a mark as the “nasty nelson king” of pickleball.

Wednesday’s Paddle Smash and TMZ Coverage

Wednesday saw some intense gameplay as Zane Ford took his frustration out on a paddle after losing to James Ignatowich. The paddle survived multiple smashes before an outrageous story caught TMZ’s attention. Rafael Lenhard continued his run, defeating me in a three-set match, while the UPA Trailblazer duo, Yufei Long and Tine Chieh Wei, solidified their status with notable victories.

A Day of Close Calls and Sportsmanship

Pairing with Zane Ford, who had a rough patch during our match against DJ and Eric Oncins, was a mixed bag of challenges. On another court, Ryan Fu displayed admirable sportsmanship against Max Freemen, choosing to continue play despite a ball rolling onto the court at a crucial point.

Continued Surprises and Upsets

The electrifying matches continued as Rafa Lenhard beat Noe and the trailblazers stunned Andrea Koop and Alix Truong. Meanwhile, Iggy emerged victorious over Jaume in a left-handed game, making the days at San Clemente nothing short of unpredictable.

Catherine Breaks a Streak and Other Thursday Highlights

Catherine has had a tough singles year but triumphed over Kate Fahey in three sets, hinting at a return to form. Raf Henhard’s run ended against Christian, and Jack Sock took a thrilling match against Connor Garnett, even after leading 10-0 before being overtaken.

Semifinal Saturday Setbacks and Strides

Catherine continued her win streak, setting up a final against Anna Leigh, who defeated Lea Jansen. On the men’s side, Feddy overcame Christian with style, and the gossip mill buzzed about Fed’s departure from Adidas.

Championship Sunday: A Game of Highs and Lows

Hunter Johnson delivered a stunning performance against Federico Staksrud, asserting his dominance as possibly the world’s new #1 singles player. “Sunday Anna Leigh” was unstoppable, adding another triple crown to her achievements without losing a game.

Emerging Stories and Speculation

The competitive men’s doubles match between Fed, Hayden, Ben, and Gabe showcased the dynamic matchups at the professional level. Could these be pickleball’s new Big 4, with Dekel and Dylan as the awkward 5th wheel? Only time will tell as the rankings and rivalry shapes up.

Stay Up to Date

Connor Pardoe will join the podcast next week to discuss these changes.

That’s a wrap on this week’s action. Next up: MLP back in San Clemente. Keep your paddles ready!