They Call Him JDub: Pickleball Prowess Runs in His Family

J-Dub (Picture Kerry Pittegner)

There is a pedestal in the temple of pickleball legends for a number of pro players.  JW Johnson–22 years old, a top 20 singles player–is one of them. My respect and admiration for his game run deep.  People say he’s got the best hands in the game. Well, would anybody argue with that?  Want to find out for yourself? Go ahead, take your best shot, try to rip one past him in the kitchen.  Think about it, even with his paddle held low (unlike most players) he dictates and controls points while covering court and finding ways to score. One has to salute an athlete who develops his own style and succeeds by going against the grain. No simple task to be that consistent in the big leagues, and Johnson’s game, in all disciplines and all season long, remains steady, fluid, and competitive.

While knowledge, confidence, and experience are the core of his golden game,  let’s not forget his singular ability to react to both victory and defeat by never over-celebrating a point or a win or taking the toughest loss too hard; a balanced disposition makes that possible.

“Maybe next time” seems to be his philosophy as the tour rolls along, always another match, always another chance for the Franklin-sponsored pro to demonstrate why he makes it to the finals with regularity.  

A former tennis player, Johnson has weapons aplenty.  With a flick of the wrist he generates speed, power, and spin, carves out difficult-to-defend angles, and wallops overheads for clean winners. His all-around game, like those of his peers, is one to be dissected and studied.  I have learned from watching him work, and so have countless others.

Instrumental to his success is the support of his close and loving family. His mother, Julie, in particular, an accomplished senior PPA pro, has coached and guided him to numerous medals and triple crowns, most notable of which was being, at 19, the youngest player in pickleball history to win the men’s singles title; his sister and mixed doubles partner (and scrapper till the end), Jorja, has also seen him through up-and-down matches. With encouragement from everyone around him, Johnson has catapulted himself to the top of the MLP-PPA pyramid, along the way his story inspiring recreational as well as professional players.

J Dub is humble and reserved on court and in interviews. Want to see for yourself?

Whether he’s having a good day or struggling to find his best, he’s not a chest pounder, a groaner, a loudmouth, a strutter, a paddle smasher, nor does he bicker with referees or opposing players; that is to say, I’ve never seen him do such things. He just shows up, gives all of himself, and manages his emotions in order to draw the most from his talent. Although players and fans appreciate his unchanging calm and cool from match to match, still there are some who wish he would become more animated and make primitive sounds and gestures and behave like other athletes do when pressure is building and the stakes are high. 

Players’ personalities can be mercurial, the storminess of competition sometimes the reason.   And because James Johnson doesn’t ask the audience for a boost, or try to stand out by embodying a persona or a “manufactured” image, he doesn’t seem to get as much attention as the players whose personalities stir up a fuss.  JW does not have the flamboyance or outward intensity of McGuffin or Alshon or Staksrud or Arnold, Allyce Jones, Lea Jansen, Anna Bright, or Kate Fahey. To clarify, I mean no disrespect to those players as I very much appreciate their games and have enjoyed watching them work, win, and climb the rankings. Court behavior I’m talking about here: showmanship, charisma, attitude, swagger, pizzazz, call it what you want. Johnson never has to do anything wild or out of character to make a lasting impression because his skills have always proven his worth, similar to what we have seen from all-stars like Marietta Wright, Irina Tereschenko, Lacy Schneemann, Vivienne David, Lina Padegimaite, and several others I could mention.  Being himself has given Johnson a sparkling reputation, the kind that will endure over a lifetime should he stay in pro pickleball for a long, long time. 

I like how JW plays and how he conducts himself, win or lose.  I like his demeanor, his controlled emotions in the frenzy of battle. Now that I think about it, there’s nobody like him on the MLP-PPA tour. If pickleball becomes an Olympic sport, I’m certain James Johnson would be a name fans and coaches would want on their roster.  It would be a mistake not to consider him.  J Dub, thanks for playing damn good pickleball!