Julie Johnson has been a left-handed force of nature on the Senior Pro Circuit for a number of years now and her two children JW and Jorja also play at the pro level.
With three pro players competing in tournaments all year long, travelling the country together, and signing sponsorship deals together it’s no doubt that they are having the time of their lives.
After having the chance to speak with all four members of the Johnson family earlier this year, I can say that each one of them, including Dad Johson, are all kind and lighthearted people.
Their composure and professionalism is genuine on and off the court and I truly enjoy watching each one of them compete. Julie is the first senior pro to be featured on our pickleball blog!
-3.png?upscale=true&width=1024&upscale=true&name=unnamed%20(4)-3.png)
Photo credit: USA Pickleball
Name: Julie Johnson
Sponsored by: Franklin, Day One
Paddle: Franklin 17mm for doubles and 14.5mm for singles
Recent Achievement(s): Silver medalist in women’s senior pro singles at the US Nationals, Ranked number 2 in Senior Women’s Standings list with the APP
Q. How long have you been playing pickleball and how did you enter the world of pickleball?
I played casually for 3 years and then started playing more seriously when I was about to turn 50 and was able to play senior pro. My perspective also changed when I realized my kids were wanting to get involved and we were going to be able to do this together as a family.
Q. What was your first pro tournament and when?
Mesa PPA 2020.
Q. What was a stand-out moment of any tournament for you?
Watching JW win TOC when he snapped Ben John's 170-match winning streak and also watching my kids win the NYC Open together this year.
Q. Do you have a favourite drill? If so, what is it?
I like to do a dinking drill where you stand at the diagonal or opposite side of the kitchen line from your drilling partner and then you dink a series of 4 dinks across the line that moves you from left to right so that you are dinking while also moving across the kitchen back and forth as many times as you can make it. It incorporates footwork and movement with your dinks.
-2.png?upscale=true&width=1024&upscale=true&name=unnamed%20(5)-2.png)
Photo credit: Just Paddles
(left to right: JW Johnson, Julie Johnson, Jorja Johnson)
Q. Who’s your pickleball hero?
My kids.
Q. Name your top 3 favourite shots?
Forehand drive, lob, backhand flick.
Q. Do you identify more as a left-side player or right-side player?
I am a lefty, so definitely the right!
Q. What’s your favourite pickleball moment to date?
My second triple crown in Atlanta APP 2021.
Q. Name 3 other pros you’d like to play a rec game with and what is the match-up?
Mixed doubles with Mircea [Morariu] against Jamie Foxx and Sam Querrey
Q. What is your favourite tournament format to play in and why?
Traditional because I am old and set in my ways…had to play rally scoring in rec today and for some reason, I just felt pressured in a different way and didn’t like it.
Q. What does the sport of pickleball need the most in order for it to get to the “next level”? (can answer from a Canadian, US or global perspective)
It needs to continue to grow in popularity in other countries and then the rest will sort itself out, but it definitely needs to catch on globally as much as it has in the US.
Q. Favourite ice cream flavour?
Chocolate pecan.
Q. How do you recover from a day of competition in order to get ready for the next day?
I have to do a lot of stretching, I love my Air Relax leg compression system, Yobow is awesome, drinking a Day One and making sure I get rest and hydration.
Q. Do you have a favourite tournament that you attend?
The ones I win. :)
Q. How do you prepare yourself mentally for competition?
I try to get off in quieter areas by myself, think through opponents and strategy, and visualization.
Q. In how many years do you think pickleball will be an Olympic sport?
I think it will take another decade before it becomes an Olympic sport.
Q. What’s your favourite piece of advice to give to a beginner?
Have fun! But if you're looking to improve, make sure you incorporate some drilling.
Q. Can you share with the readers something unique about yourself?
I have two kids that are professional pickleball players and they are pretty good ones!
Bonus question: what’s the most exciting part about pickleball for you these days?
Just watching it grow and change at the speed of light, plus, we get to be involved with everything as a family. Feels like we are getting to be pioneers of the game.
Hopefully, that was an interesting read! I'd just like to end this week's article by wishing you all a very happy new year, let's hope 2023 is another great year for pickleball!
This article was taken from our 'Control the Kitchen' Newsletter, if you're interested in receiving more content like this, please feel free to sign up using the subscribe section located at the bottom left of this page (or underneath the article if you're on mobile), thanks!
