Ben Johns delivers his second consecutive Triple Crown at the 2022 US Open April 23-30 in Naples , Florida .
No longer able to play table tennis at indoor clubs , the JOOLA team decided to redirect its love of paddle sport to the pickleball court . What began as a simple curiosity amongst its employees eventually sparked a brand-new line of JOOLA pickleball gear — as well as a sponsorship with the world ’ s leading men ’ s pickleball player , Ben Johns .
Already renowned for its 70-year history of manufacturing highquality table tennis products , JOOLA ( pronounced Yoh-lah ) recognized a “ synergy ” with the growing sport of pickleball , according to Thomas Nguyen , senior vice president of marketing .
“ The team was instantly hooked ,” he said . “ The two sports have many similarities and playing one allows you to pick up the other quickly . It was this synergy of skills that makes pickleball a great fit for JOOLA .”
With the sport growing so quickly , a variety of global tennis brands have released lines of pickleball gear , including big names like Wilson , Babolat , and HEAD . Nguyen noted that JOOLA ’ s history of manufacturing table tennis equipment sets the company apart from other racket sport companies .
“ What differentiates us is our vast knowledge of composite materials and manufacturing innovations in the table tennis industry ,” he explained . “ We ’ re excited to bring that unique perspective into pickleball .”
This history of innovation is also what drew Ben Johns to JOOLA . At 23 , Johns is the highest-ranked men ’ s player in the world in singles , doubles , and mixed doubles . He credits his background in table tennis and tennis for his prowess on the pickleball court , and is impressed with JOOLA ’ s advanced paddle technology .
“ Coming from a table tennis background , I know all about the technology that goes into maximum performance in the sport ,” said Johns . “ I think by applying that technology and expertise to pickleball , we ’ ll be able to make some pretty cool advancements in paddle technology .”
The sport ’ s growing popularity and the table tennis presence in Asia also prompted him to team up with JOOLA . Johns considers JOOLA ’ s new entry into the pickleball market an advantage , not a detriment .
“ We have seen this game grow like crazy in the U . S ., and in my opinion it ’ s going to grow enormously in Asia as well in the near future ,” he said . “ JOOLA is perfectly suited to take advantage of that impending growth there . They have a massive table tennis presence in Asia already and that can easily expand to pickleball . I think we have enormous potential for growth together .”
JOOLA ’ s line of pickleball equipment launched on April 1 and includes a variety of paddles , balls , apparel and accessories , including Ben Johns signature paddles called the Hyperion Series . The Hyperion CFS ( Carbon Friction Surface ) 16 is labeled as “ the official paddle used by Ben Johns ” and features a reactive honeycomb polymer core and hyperfoam edge wall .
Nguyen explained that JOOLA ’ s products are designed to accommodate different players and styles . The ratings for each paddle , for example , vary by control , power , and spin .
“ No matter what level a player is , we have the right equipment for them ,” he said .
For more information about JOOLA ’ s new line of pickleball products , visit
joolausa . com . •
MAY / JUNE 2022 | MAGAZINE 61