On-Court Strategy and Off-Court Friendships: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns Discuss Their Quarterfinal Victory
Insights into Team Dynamics and Future Aspirations from the 2024 PPA Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships
Following their intense mixed doubles quarterfinal match at the 2024 PPA Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships against Catherine Parenteau and Riley Newman, Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns joined analysts Matt Manasse and Kamryn Blackwood for an exclusive interview. The duo, known for their synergy and strategic gameplay, shared detailed reflections on their match, their unique team communication, and even some light-hearted off-court topics. Here is an in-depth look at their responses and insights from the conversation.
1. [32:16] Kamryn Blackwood: Anna Leigh, I noticed that you and Ben were communicating more frequently between points than usual. Typically, we see you engaging with your mom while Ben stays more reserved. Catherine and Riley, while not a regular pair, present unique challenges. What makes them so difficult, and what do you need to focus on to execute effectively? Anna Leigh Waters: Yeah, for sure. Two years ago, we seemed to face them in nearly every final throughout the entire season, so we definitely understand their game plan and know how to play against them. Both teams have improved, making the matchups even more exciting to watch now than they were then. I was genuinely excited to be on the court today. I think we knew what we needed to do to execute, and I wanted to make sure I stayed on top of it by checking in with Ben during every point. I’d ask him if I needed to make any adjustments, even going over basic things like who to return to before the match. Even though we’ve faced them countless times, it's always good to confirm with the boss and make sure we’re aligned. 2. [33:07] Matt Manasse: Ben, at the end of the match when it was getting really close, it looked like you both had opportunities to take aggressive shots but chose to slow things down. Was this a conscious decision to get back to basics? Ben Johns: Yeah, I mean, I felt that we actually attacked pretty well throughout the match. Realistically, we probably could have taken a few more aggressive shots during those tight moments. Naturally, when matches get close, everyone tightens up, so it’s not unusual to see a bit of hesitation. For us, it was about managing that and staying focused. I’m usually in favor of going for a shot if it feels right, and often that’s the best decision. But in tight situations, there’s a tendency to be more cautious. 3. [33:42] Matt Manasse: AL you have gender doubles matches coming up with just one match between now and then. What’s the process like for transitioning from this mixed match to the next one? Anna Leigh Waters: Honestly, I prefer a quicker turnaround. It keeps me warm and in the rhythm of play, instead of sitting around for hours and needing to rewarm up. Catherine is in the same situation, so I think we’re both ready for our next match. The plan is to play, head out, grab some dinner, and get some rest to prepare for tomorrow. 4. [34:02] Kamryn Blackwood: We’ve got some match highlights to review. It looked like you were controlling the kitchen well, but with Riley’s reach, how did you adjust to maintain that control? Ben Johns: In that first game, I was focusing on moving the ball to the corners with dinks to create openings. Riley’s reach was definitely a factor, so I noticed he was pushing farther over and taking balls off my left foot more than usual. This opened up some strategic angles for us. It was all about aggressive dinking and positioning, using the forehand with a bit of deception to look for an attack. 5. [35:05] Matt Manasse: Ben, you did hit a good forehand Ernie at the end there. Typically, you opt for a backhand. What made you go for the forehand this time? Ben Johns: The backhand Ernie is quicker and more useful when you’re pressed for time, like when the opponents are up at the kitchen. But when they’re playing from mid-court or further back and I have more time, the forehand Ernie gives me a better chance to put power behind it and finish the point decisively. It’s all about recognizing where they are and what works best in the moment. 6. [35:27] Kamryn Blackwood: Ben, we noticed you brushing your paddle after a missed shot. Is that just a habit, or does it actually make a difference? Ben Johns: Yeah, so the balls do leave a bit of plastic residue on the paddle, and I like to clear that off to prevent it from affecting my shot, even if just slightly. Plus, in this match, it was especially humid, so I was wiping off sweat too. Normally, I’m not that sweaty, but today was different! 7. [35:58] Matt Manasse: Hannah mentioned something about your cooking skills back at Maryland and your famous chili. If you win this tournament, have you ever thought about cooking a celebratory meal for Anna Leigh? Ben Johns: Funny you should ask! We actually had a conversation about this at Virginia Beach. We compared our go-to dishes, and hers is baked mac and cheese—which I love. My specialty is spinach dip, with four different cheeses and a touch of goat cheese on top. We joked about it for a while; I even shared my full recipe with her, down to the smallest detail. I promised that next time, I’d whip up some for the team, maybe even with a side of my goat cheese and chicken omelets!
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