PRO-file
By Alice Tym
BEN
Behind the Scenes with Pro
Johns
Ben ’ s older sister , Hannah , interviews her brothers Collin ( right ) and Ben for the Pro Pickleball Association .
Age : 22 Hometown : Gaithersburg , Maryland
College : University of Maryland Major : Materials Science and Engineering
Pickleball Ranking : Number One Titles : Current Triple Crown at the US Open , Current USA
Pickleball National Singles Champion and many more .
What is your style of play ? Aggressive , apply pressure , force errors .
What is your favorite shot ? Backhand roll .
Who is your favorite opponent ? Adam Stone and Steve Deakin because they are steady .
What do you look for in a partner ? Their style of play , how we mesh mentally ... I like to play the left side so I like a player who plays the right side . As a person , I like someone who is intense . I am reserved to my partner . We need an unspoken understanding .
What is your favorite venue ? Indian Wells .
What do tennis players bring to the game ? Fundamental mechanics of stroke technique , training , repetition , work ethic .
When do you choose to hit a third shot drop vs . a third shot drive ? It depends on who you are playing , who you are playing with , and what kind of return you receive . If the opponents do not counter well , or my partner poaches off of drives well , that is a good reason to drive . If it is short and high , that is good for a drive and too close to the NVZ line . If it is deep with backspin , it is a good reason to use a third shot drive , fifth shot drop .
What makes you so special in pickleball ? My ability to experiment and my background in other sports , specifically baseball , tennis , and table tennis .
Who influenced your character the most ? Both of my parents . My dad works from home and my mother homeschooled all seven kids .
Your brother Collin plays pickleball . Was there sibling rivalry ? No , my brother is six years older . I looked up to him as a teacher . Now in pickleball I am returning the favor .
What living person do you most admire ? Elon Musk .
What deceased person do you most admire ? Abraham Lincoln because he stood up for what he believed in .
What is your favorite car ? Tesla .
Where are you the happiest ? On a pickleball court .
What is your greatest fear ? Living my whole life not doing what I want to do .
What is your favorite place to shop ? Lululemon .
What is your favorite cologne ? Ocean Spray .
What is your favorite book ? I like fantasy , like the Red Rising Series . For nonfiction , I like “ The 4-Hour Workweek ” by Timothy Ferriss .
Do you identify with a fictional book character ? Wade Watts from “ Ready Player One .”
Who is your favorite author ? I don ’ t read a lot of books by one author . I prefer variety .
What is your favorite movie ? “ Gladiator .”
What is your greatest regret ? Not learning another language . I would have liked to have learned Japanese or Chinese .
What quality do you most admire in a woman ? If she is funny .
What is your favorite song ? Don ’ t Stop Believin ’.
What is your favorite band ? Fleetwood Mac .
What talent would you like to have ? I would like to learn to play the ukulele . •