2022 National Championships | Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Match | Waters/Newman vs. Johns/Parenteau

[@Odoth]

A NEW HOLIDAY CLASSIC

[@whidoineedthis]

I finally watched pickleball for the first time. It's like playing life size ping pong instead of tabletop? But smaller than tennis court...

[@cai42069]

What was the reason for Johns to be overextending to Parenteaus side multiple times?

[@codylongshore6077]

The change in music at the beginning.. wonder how that first cut made it through to being published LOL

[@AMurderOfLobs]

Yeah honestly what in the actual fuck...?!

[@AMurderOfLobs]

I mean it actually kinda slaps and looks great when the players stroll onto the court...but like...still I'm so confused.

[@힐라4]

I think parenteau is standing too far from kitchen line even when attacking situations. So her offense is not powerful and not stable (gets in the net)

[@shipwreck8847]

Dude, I've never seen Ben Johns man handled like this before. And the man handling was done by a 16 year old girl.

[@AMurderOfLobs]

4:18 For the referee to make a joke that can be interpreted as either "Riley Newman is twice the man that Ben Johns is" or "Ben Johns doesn't even exist" at the beginning of the gold medal match of the National Championship - in front of the largest crowd in the history of pickleball was way out of line. It is commonly accepted wisdom that at the highest level of most sports, the difference between the top players is chiefly psychological, as they have all nearly mastered the physical aspects of their sport. So for the referee, of all people, to do something that could even have a small possibility to negatively affect on any one player's psychology is mind boggling. The referee's primary job is to maintain a level playing field. So to put that at risk for the sake of a light chuckle seems wildly unprofessional.

[@jaradgarren2740]

I'm not convinced it wasn't a mistake even though the announcers assumed it was a joke. Before she corrects the introductions she says something like "that wasn't right."

[@AMurderOfLobs]

@@jaradgarren2740 Yeah I actually do think it was a mistake upon reflection, because the alternative really would just be too unprofessional.

[@cobramcjingleballs959]

She made a mistake, and the players reacted with some levity, which they likely enjoyed. There is no implication that "Riley Newman is twice the man that Ben Johns is" whatsoever, and certainly no one besides you interpreted it that way.

[@AMurderOfLobs]

@@cobramcjingleballs959 I replied to another comment that I do think she made a mistake in retrospect. My original comment was based on the commentator's take that it was an intentional joke. If it were a joke, I don't know how else it could be interpreted than the two ways i suggested. I also wouldn't think the joke was a big deal outside the context of the most important match on the biggest stage in the history of the game. All this being said, if it was a mistake - which I now believe it was - then yeah it's absolutely not a big deal at all regardless of the context.

[@chadwickedwards9763]

We certainly never made any reference of it being a joke. We just laughed at the slip up and commented that it’s been a long week for the referees. There was no psychological aspect or malice in her saying Riley’s name twice. It was just an unintentional slip up

[@mra3373]

An added note. Ben give AL a hug, and ignores?? CP. Cool. Yes, I'm still ticked at CP about changing partners.

[@mra3373]

cant hear blackwood. Needs to speak up. This ain't tennis.