Pickleballers Wishes for 2026

By Matthew Schwartz 

The man widely considered the greatest pickleball player of all time says he can get better. 

“I’m working to improve my two-handed backhand in a variety of ways, and that’s what I think is important for me at the moment,” Ben Johns told me.  

Pickleball’s GOAT was among those responding to two questions I sent to a dozen prominent players, paddle reviewers and regular rec players. I asked, “What do you want to improve in your game in 2026?” And, 2) “What improvements would you like to see in pickleball in general in the new year?” 

 Ben Johns and me at the Tucson Open in February 2024. Pickleball’s GOAT wants to improve his two-handed backhand.

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Here are their answers: 

Ben Johns: 

Question: “What improvements would you like to see in pickleball in general in 2026?” 

Answer: “I want more large Asian tournaments. They have such an engaged player and fan base, I would be excited to play more there.” 

John Williams, paddle reviewer, host, “John Kew Pickleball” podcast 

“I’d like to improve my footwork and 4th shots next year.” 

We asked John and other paddle reviews an additional question: “What would you like to see in future paddles?” 

“I hope to see more experimentation with different foam types for full foam paddles (e.g., MPP, Pebax, TPU, silicone foam, polyamide foam), with more intentionality on foam density and stiffness, with the goal of strategic weight distribution and density in the core, enhancing twist weight with denser, soft foams near the perimeter, which will broaden the sweet spot and enhance the feel of ball striking. Lastly - and this might be 2027 material - getting a better understanding of rigid body analysis and vibration analysis (nodes and antinodes) to provide paddle ‘feel’ profiles for differing preferences (stiff-soft; dense-hollow).” 

Braydon Unsicker, paddle reviewer, host, “Pickleball Effect” podcast 

Q: What improvements would you like to see in your game? 

A: “This is a very individually dependent question but for me, it's my forehand volley. I need more power, lower trajectory, and spin on my forehand volley rolls. I've always been stronger with my backhand here and need to be just as effective on the other side.” 

Q: “What improvements would you like to see in pickleball in general in the new year?” 

A: “Paddle testing and certification is still a weak spot in the sport. We need better paddle durability testing in the certification process. There are still too many core crushed paddles in amateur rec and tournament play. Paddle power certification is a moving needle as well. PBCor results are not consistent. You can take three different paddles that scored .43 and each one will be a different power level.” 

A: “The last big paddle innovation is grit durability. Foam cores have helped reduce paddle break-in and increased core durability, now we need paddle grit to last longer than a couple of months. We've already started to see the beginning of these types of innovations with [some companies]. While these technologies are still being put to the test in the market, it’s great to see the industry innovating here.” 

Brandon Mackie, Co-founder and COO, “Pickleheads” court finder and scheduling app 

“I would like to see the sport embrace more structured play without losing the inclusive magic of open play. As pickleball matures, we see organized play as critical to keep the sport fun and accommodating to players, especially at a wide mix of skill levels. And of course, using technology like Pickleheads is the often the best and only way to run structured play efficiently.  

“It’s hard to imagine paddles getting much better.” 

Matt Khoury, paddle reviewer, host, “Matt’s Pickleball” podcast 

“Right now, the biggest area I want to improve is countering at the non-volley zone/kitchen. That’s where I still feel the most vulnerable. It’s less about hand speed and more about anticipation and positioning. I’m getting better at initiating a sequence/combo, like speeding up the ball and being ready for the next shot, but I still struggle when opponents pull the trigger unexpectedly. Improving my ability to read cues earlier and get my paddle set in the right spot is the next step for me. 

“Improvement to the sport: 

At the professional level, I’d like to see less drama and more professionalism. The recent situation with contract terminations without, allegedly, direct communication to players or their representatives feels emotionally driven rather than objective. Whether intentional or not, it comes across as amateurish, and it’s exhausting for fans, players, and media alike. The sport is growing fast, and its leadership needs to reflect that maturity. 

“What I’d like to see in future paddles: 

As a reviewer, I’m quietly hoping control makes a real comeback. We’ve been in a heavy power cycle, and while that sells, it’s not always better for the game. I’m especially interested in foam cores evolving to provide more feedback and connection, closer to what the best Gen 3 paddles deliver today. Too many foam paddles still feel overly muted. That said, the market hasn’t shifted yet. On my site, about 65% of paddle views are still power-focused, so while I suspect the pendulum may swing back toward control, the data says it hasn’t happened yet.” 

Eddy Kang, co-host, John Kew Pickleball podcast 

“I’m continuing to work on generating power from my two handed backhand. Also, my forehand push dinks are in good shape, but I'd to improve my topspin roll dinks from the right side. 

“From the sport in general (paddles specifically), I think we're headed in the right direction, but I’d like to see even more durability; less spin degradation; and more forgiving paddles (larger sweet spot). I think we'll see more customization as well, for example, weight adjustment systems out-of-the-box.” 

  Seymour “Rif” Rifkind has been leading the effort to make pickleball an Olympic sport.

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Seymour “Rif” Rifkind, Founder, World Pickleball Federation and Pickleball Hall of Fame. Rifkind has been leading the effort to make pickleball an Olympic sport. 

“My greatest wish for pickleball has not changed since I first announced it in 2015. I want to see a US contingency of Olympic athletes march out to the opening ceremony including a team of pickleball players. 2026 could be a milestone if pickleball were accepted as a member of the International Olympic Committee and that likelihood would increase dramatically if ego, power and greed were put aside for the love of the game and one international governing body became a reality.” 

Now let’s hear from some recreational players. 

Quentin Walls, Pickerington, OH

“The areas I’d like to see improvement in my game are my anticipation and footwork, knowing where the ball is going sooner, and then getting to it. When it works, it's beautiful, but when I'm a split second late, it's frustrating. 

“I know it isn't feasible, but an improvement I'd like to see in the sport in general is automated line calling for the masses. I've been hooked one too many times, but I guess it happens to the pros too. I would also like to see sandbagging (and unsportsmanlike behavior in general) in tournaments addressed. So many people I play with in rec refuse to do tournaments because it stops being fun for them.” 

Lorraine Rupper, Orem, UT (Lorraine has played at least one pickleball match in all 50 states) 

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“As far as my own game, I would like to improve how and when I use lobs.  I think this is a very interesting part of the game and I love how Anna Bright has started using it in the pro game.  It adds another dynamic to the game and makes watching it more enjoyable.  

“I would like to see line calls done differently, especially in the pro game. If you are getting paid more when you win, there is certainly an incentive to call balls out when they are really in. This has improved with video challenges, but sometimes the technology isn't all that clear. The PPA should invest in better technology in that area. Players should also be given a few more opportunities for challenges than what they have now. It doesn't slow down the game that much.” 

Barney Agate, Tamarac, FL 

“My personal improvement/need is to determine where my opponents return will go and GET THERE. As for the game in general, sandbagging is hurting the game at every level.” 

Rich Hansen, Tucson, AZ 

“I’d like to add to and improve my set plays, together with my partner. “As far as the sport is concerned, while pickleball’s rapid growth and commercial potential is routinely cited, the nature of pickleball to significantly improve the lives of people in terms of both physical and mental health often goes unmentioned. I would like to see its benefits recognized by health providers, insurance companies and government officials as a matter of public health. 

Ken Coston, Anchorage, AK 

 1. “Improvements would like to see in my game: I would love to be able to do two handed backhand, and have better foot work. I bought a ball machine which should be here just before summer, drill baby drill!! 

2. “Improvements in our sport. 

I’m baffled as to why PPA has yet to have cameras all the time for disputed line calls. It’s time to take the sport to the next level with camera technology being what it is today. 

I would love to see pickleball figure out how to quiet the sound to appease players and neighbors who live by courts. We can either figure out a solution where everyone is happy or go the way of Carmel, California, and close courts. 

Time has arrived to pull our heads out of the sand and create solutions.” 

Ricky Sill, Asheville, NC 

1. “More consistency and power 

2. More public dedicated indoor and outdoor courts” 

Lee Holmes, Tucson, AZ 

“As a senior pickleball player (78+), I play APPL and rec. play often at the intermediate level. 
As I get older, the ball seems to come back faster…and more often. So I hope to improve my soft game and shot selection. Maybe I can keep the young guys off balance a bit more. 
Pickleball is a terrific game; social, fun, but competitive. Open play is fun as you can play with all skill levels…..cannot improve unless you play better players, 
However, in a true competition such as a tournament or an organized league, the player claiming to be below their true skill level is frustrating…and also pretty prevalent. 
“We need some sort of ‘universal rating system…additionally, self-rating is a joke!! 
 
“I love this game.” 

Karen Butera, Orlando, FL 

“For my game in particular I have a knee and a hip replacement coming up this year both of which will provide me greater mobility and enjoyability for my game. For the game in general I have a longer wish list for that. I wish that we had a ranking system that provided fair and consistent ranking across all the players. I wish we had tournament directors that enforced ranking criteria and also did not compress brackets. It's not at all fair to expect an 80-year-old to be able to compete with a 50-year-old. And finally I wish that we had more civility back in the game like it was 10 years ago. We have way too much competitive nature creeping in and unsavoriness that comes with it. Finally I wish for truly peace on earth peace in our lives and more pickleball for everybody.”