Southeast Asia had the pleasure of internet hosting a number of the world’s high pickleball execs, however the star of stars was little doubt the GOAT himself, Ben Johns. And by all indications, Johns loved his keep in Malaysia and Vietnam—a lot in order that he raved in regards to the latter’s passionate pickleball scene.
“What stands out most about Vietnam is how excited everyone seems to be. Within the US, we’ve got many tournaments {and professional} gamers, so followers are extra accustomed to seeing us compete. It’s not that they’re much less enthusiastic. It’s simply extra routine,” Johns mentioned in an internet speak with Vietnam’s Tuoi Tre (Youth). “However in Vietnam, occasions like this nonetheless really feel particular and uncommon. Watching American and Asian gamers compete collectively is thrilling. The environment right here jogs my memory of the early days of pickleball within the US—filled with power and pleasure.”
Johns and his fellow US-based picklers ought to know, particularly after 7,906 Vietnamese followers stuffed the Tien Son Sports activities Area in Da Nang to witness Championship Saturday of the MB Vietnam Cup 2025.
Maybe unsurprisingly, Johns described Vietnam as being in “probably the most dynamic and optimistic development part” in Asia because it “is doing an unbelievable job, from increasing courts to growing participation, and organising tournaments.”
Talking of accelerating participation, the MB Vietnam Cup 2025 showcased the very best Vietnam has to supply, beginning with Males’s Singles finalists Huc Puynh and Hien Truong. With pickleball’s explosive rise in Vietnam, it’s very seemingly that the subsequent Puynh and Truong, and even Quang Duong, could possibly be any one of many nation’s rising variety of younger gamers.
Ben Johns Presents Sage Recommendation to Younger Picklers
However as these youthful gamers begin rising up the ranks and stepping into aggressive pickleball, issues can get a bit of bit sophisticated, what with all of the outsized expectations, the stress of profitable, and the necessity to fulfil skilled obligations. Briefly, it may be straightforward for youthful gamers to lose sight of why they picked up a paddle to start with: as a result of pickleball is enjoyable to play and is about having enjoyable. Johns is aware of this higher than anybody else, and so he allotted some sage recommendation to younger gamers.
“All the time bear in mind why you began. As a result of this sport brings pleasure. Regardless of your stage, by no means lose that spirit,” he emphasised.
Whereas sustaining that joyful spirit of enjoying is important, Johns additionally reminded the upcoming era of Vietnamese picklers to work on their sport and on their core expertise in the event that they wish to increase their stage of play.
“Pickleball can be a race to see who learns quicker. Approach, health, and mindset all matter, however the potential to soak up new issues rapidly is what units you aside,” the GOAT identified. “All these issues matter, however the core remains to be bettering your pickleball expertise each single day.”
For his half, Johns informed the viewers that he trains practically on daily basis, ensuring to stability practising on the court docket with understanding on the fitness center, getting sufficient relaxation, and following strict diet.
No marvel then that Ben Johns has reached the very pinnacle of pickleball. And with the recommendation he gave to Vietnam’s younger gamers and the unbelievable job being completed by the nation’s pickleball stakeholders in rising the game, possibly someday a Vietnamese pickler will ascend to the identical rarefied air Johns is in proper now.
