World’s best pickleball players showcase skills at Kissing Tree

Members of the Kissing Tree Pickleball Association were in for a special treat last Saturday as they saw some of the best professional pickleball players show off their skills in a special exhibition match.

Ben Johns, Collin Johns, Dekel Bar and Brandon Nsekpong made the trip down to San Marcos to play in a series of exhibition matches while promoting Pickleball Getaways, which was created by Ben Johns and Bar.

“It’s a lot of fun when you can come out with friends and entertain,” Collin Johns said. “It’s not far from home, having moved to Austin a couple of years ago. It’s great to come out here, see the facility on a beautiful day and play some pickleball.”

The event was put on by President of the Kissing Tree Pickleball Association David Komie.

Brothers Ben and Collin Johns are considered to be the best pickleball players in the world with Ben Johns owning the No.1 ranking in the world, according to Professional Pickleball Association World Rankings in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

Ben Johns also became the first male pro player to capture the triple crown at the US Open Pickleball Championships winning Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles all in the same year in 2019.

He would repeat the feat in 2021 and 2022.

Collin Johns is Ben Johns doubles partner on the PPA Tour with the duo owning the No. 1 ranking in doubles.

Bar currently tied for the No. 15 world ranking while Nsekpong in ranked in the Top 50.

The Johns brothers and Komie consider one another good friends after meeting up following a couple of pickleball events.

“We met Dave when we first moved to Austin,” Collin Johns said. “We were practicing on a private court, and we got introduced. Ultimately, I gave him a couple of lessons then he came on a Pickleball Getaways trip. So I have gotten to know him better and better. He has been a huge fan of Pickleball Getaways and he wanted to support the cause and put together this exhibition.”

Being introduced to Pickleball Getaways, created by Ben Johns and Dekel Bar, Komie wanted to let members of Kissing Tree Pickleball Association know about the company and the services they provide.

“A couple of the guys, Ben Johns and Dekel Bar, have a company called Pickleball Getaways, which is the best traveling getaway, pickleball camp you can go too,” Komie said. “The pros are there and play with you. If you go on certain trips, like Europe, they will travel with you. There are a lot of people from Kissing Tree who have gone. They wanted to show their appreciation for that and possibly get new customers.”

With around 200 people in attendance, the Johns Brothers, Bar and Nsekpong teamed up and squared off with a series of matches showcasing their skills and proficiency in the sport of pickleball.

“We have a lot of tournaments where people come out,” Collin Johns said. “At a place like this, it’s more of an intimate atmosphere, and it’s a fun playful exhibition format which makes it fun for us.”

The event ended with numerous members wanting autographs and pictures taken with the quartet.

For more information about KTPA, visit their website at www.ktpa.prg

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc