*Annapolis, MD \u2014 June 19, 2025* \u2013 A new bronze statue of pickleball\u2019s reigning superstar was unveiled today on the scenic waterfront of Annapolis, marking a watershed moment for the rapidly growing sport and its most iconic champion, Ben Johns.<\/p>\n
Commissioned by the Maryland Sports and Cultural Heritage Commission and crafted by acclaimed sculptor Eleanor Simmons, the life-size statue of Johns was revealed during an afternoon ceremony at City Dock. The event drew hundreds of fans, local dignitaries, and pickleball enthusiasts eager to honor the modern phenomena of the fastest-growing racket sport in America.<\/p>\n
**A Statue Fit for a Champion**
\nThe sculpture portrays Johns in mid\u2011action, poised at the kitchen line\u2014poised for his trademark backhand down the line. Captured in flowing motion, the nearly seven-foot bronze figure reflects both athletic grace and competitive focus. Simmons\u2019 attention to detail is evident in the sculpted tennis shoes etched with Johns\u2019 initials (\u201cBJ\u201d), the mesh texture of his shirt, and his determined gaze, all supported by a granite base engraved with his career milestones.<\/p>\n
**Milestones Engraved in Stone**
\nEtched into the base are a series of Johns\u2019 greatest achievements: youngest World No. 1 at age 22; record 60+ pro titles; three US Open singles championships; and pivotal role in advocating for pickleball\u2019s inclusion in international competitions. These inscriptions not only celebrate his personal achievements but chronicle the ascent of pickleball from community courts to professional arenas.<\/p>\n
**Ceremony Sparks Celebration**
\nThe unveiling ceremony was led by Annapolis Mayor Lily Rothman, who praised Johns as \u201ca homegrown talent whose global success reflects Annapolis\u2019s spirit of ambition and community.\u201d Maryland Governor Allister Jacobs echoed the sentiment, calling the statue \u201ca beacon of sporting excellence and an inspiration to future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Notable guests included pickleball pioneer John \u201cTrejo\u201d Strachan, who described Johns as \u201ca generational talent redefining what athleticism means on the court.\u201d Johns\u2019 parents, hometown coach, and former doubles partner were also on hand. The legend himself offered heartfelt remarks: \u201cI started playing at a public park ten blocks from here\u2014who knew it would lead here? This isn\u2019t just my statue; it represents all of us who’ve believed in pickleball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opening remarks concluded with kids from local youth leagues presenting Johns with a commemorative paddle, symbolizing the next generation he continues to inspire.<\/p>\n
**A Sports Legacy in the Heart of Annapolis**
\nThe statue joins a growing collection of public artworks in Annapolis\u2014traditionally home to military- and historical-themed monuments\u2014ushering in a new era of athletic representation. While Annapolis typically honors naval heroes, statesmen, and Supreme Court jurists, the addition of a figure from the modern sporting world underscores the city\u2019s evolving identity.<\/p>\n
Positioned near the bustling City Dock promenade and steps from the Maryland State House, the statue is destined to become a popular photo-op for tourists. City officials hope it will boost sports tourism and signal Annapolis\u2019 readiness to embrace 21st-century cultural touchstones.<\/p>\n
**Growing Pickleball in the Chesapeake Region**
\nSince Johns ascended to prominence in 2021, the Annapolis area has witnessed a surge in pickleball courts\u2014from converted tennis courts at Quiet Waters Park to new public facilities at the Anne Arundel County Community Center. The statue unveiling coincides with the city\u2019s first youth pickleball clinic series, designed to nurture local talent and mirror Johns\u2019 pathway from grassroots to greatness.<\/p>\n
**A Symbol for the Future**
\nFor Ben Johns, now 26, the tribute is as much about legacy as it is celebration. \u201cMy hope is that people walking by see someone who worked hard, stayed curious, and respected the game\u2014that\u2019s a reflection of Annapolis values, to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As the sun set over the Chesapeake Bay, Johns\u2014with family, friends, and fans at his side\u2014stood before his likeness. It was more than a statue: it was a symbol of ambition, progress, and a community rallying around its rising star.<\/p>\n
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*Annapolis, MD \u2014 June 19, 2025* \u2013 A new bronze statue of pickleball\u2019s reigning superstar was unveiled today on the scenic waterfront of Annapolis, marking a watershed moment for the rapidly growing sport and its most iconic champion, Ben Johns. Commissioned by the Maryland Sports and Cultural Heritage Commission and crafted by acclaimed sculptor Eleanor […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n