Should Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters Split to Boost Pickleball Rivalry?
The Dominance of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters
Ben Johns, currently ranked as the world's top pickleball player, alongside the young prodigy Anna Leigh Waters, has been a formidable duo in the sport, clinching numerous titles both together and individually. Their latest achievement was at the Newport Beach Open in Southern California, where Waters celebrated her 41st triple crown, while Johns added two more gold medals to his impressive collection.
Debate on Partnership vs. Rivalry
Despite their success, a lively debate has surfaced regarding whether these two athletes should continue their partnership or transition into rivals on the court. In a recent episode of The Pickleballers Podcast, Hunter Johnson, the world’s second-ranked player, expressed his views on how separating the duo could potentially elevate the sport's excitement.
Podcast hosts suggested that for pickleball to thrive as a televised sport, it might be beneficial for its leading stars to face off against each other more often rather than teaming up. One host remarked, “If we want pickleball to succeed consistently on TV, Ben and Anna Leigh not only need to split up, they need to be rivals.”
Creating Compelling Storylines
The host emphasized that a rivalry between the top players could generate captivating narratives akin to those found in other entertainment-focused sports. “Imagine it from a wrestling or entertainment standpoint — the two best players in the world battling each other at every tournament,” he suggested. He envisioned scenarios where Johns partners with someone like Anna Bright, while Waters teams up with Hayden Patriquin, leading to thrilling matchups.
While the duo's current partnership has led to numerous victories, the podcast discussion indicated that a competitive rivalry might be more engaging for fans. “They’ve just won so much together. We’ve already seen that storyline,” the host noted. “Now people want to see them battle. I’d love to see Anna Leigh beat Ben in a tournament and then watch the rematch energy that comes with it.”
Innovative Ideas for the Sport
Johnson also proposed that introducing new formats or rules regarding partnerships could enhance the excitement in professional pickleball. He suggested limiting the duration players can partner with someone, perhaps to six months, after which they would need to find new partners. This rotating partnership system could add an element of unpredictability to tournaments.
“It would almost be like a draft system,” Johnson explained. “After a few months, everyone would wonder who’s going to play with whom next. The number one-ranked player might even get to choose their partner.”
The Future of Pickleball
This discussion has sparked a broader conversation within the pickleball community about storytelling, rivalries, and strategies for expanding the sport's audience. For the time being, Johns and Waters continue to reign as dominant figures on the PPA Tour. Whether they will maintain their partnership or evolve into regular rivals could significantly influence one of pickleball's most intriguing narratives in the future.
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