Ben Johns replaces 'pickleball prodigy' Quang Duong

A “blockbuster” has exploded in the US pickleball market after Quang Duong was terminated from UPA. The Los Angeles Mad Drops team took Ben Johns to replace Quang Duong for the rest of the season.

Ben Johns (left) and Quang Duong

Quang Duong's exclusive contract with the UPA - American Pickleball Association - was terminated due to two violations of the terms. Vietnamese-American pickleball prodigy Quang Duong was disqualified from the PPA and MLP tournaments.

In addition to being removed from the UPA rankings, the No. 6 singles player cannot continue competing with the Los Angeles Mad Drops in the Major League Pickleball (MLP) team system.

The Los Angeles Mad Drops made a bold move in the trade window, picking up Ben Johns and Etta Tuionetoa from the Carolina Hogs.

In return, Brandon French and Danna Funaro will move to the Carolina Hogs plus a cash compensation. The estimated cost is $200,000 per player.

Ben Johns will replace Quang Duong from round 8 of the MLP tournament and is a sensational transfer. This makes Los Angeles Mad Drops a championship candidate even though the team is ranked 6th in the rankings.

The presence of Ben Johns - the number 1 doubles player in the US, is far superior to Quang Duong's doubles ability, that is beyond doubt. Johns will pair up with Hunter Johnson instead of the Vietnamese-American player.

Los Angeles Mad Drops has completed its lineup after parting ways with Quang Duong, including 4 male players: Ben Johns, Hunter Johnson, Wesley Burrows, Thomas Wilson and 3 female athletes.

MLP continues its 8th week of competition with an event taking place from July 24 to 27 in Dallas, Texas.

Currently, overseas Vietnamese tennis player Quang Duong is in Vietnam to participate in some promotional activities. Quang Duong's father, Mr. Duc Duong, announced that his son no longer needs to play pickleball in the US.

The contract dispute between Quang Duong and UPA has been assigned to a lawyer to resolve. Perhaps in the near future, the tennis player born in 2006 will compete more outside the US.

QUANG THINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ben-johns-thay-the-than-dong-pickleball-quang-duong-20250722090035536.htm