Hunter Johnson Wins PPA Singles Gold with the MEHAU S5

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Hunter Johnson is back in the winner’s circle.

At the opening PPA Tour event of the new season in North Carolina, Johnson captured the men’s singles title with a comeback victory over Federico Staksrud in the final, winning 7-11, 11-3, 11-0.

The victory marked Johnson’s ninth career singles title and his first since March, putting him third all-time in men’s singles titles behind Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud.

It was also a milestone moment for MEHAU. Throughout the tournament, Johnson competed with the MEHAU S5 pickleball paddle, bringing MEHAU’s flagship paddle to the top of a PPA Tour podium.

A Tough Road to the PPA Singles Title

Johnson’s path to the championship was anything but easy.

His tournament began with an early challenge against qualifier Bret Berryman. Johnson dropped the opening game 6-11 before responding decisively, taking the next two games 11-4 and 11-0.

From there, he found his rhythm.

Johnson defeated No. 17 seed Grayson Goldin, followed by a dominant win over No. 24 Mo Alhouni. In the quarterfinals, he continued his run with an 11-1, 11-0 victory over No. 12 Noe Khlif.

The biggest test came in the semifinals.

Facing No. 1 seed Chris Haworth, Johnson delivered one of his strongest performances of the tournament, winning 11-9, 11-1 to secure his place in Sunday’s men’s singles final.

Waiting for him was No. 2 seed Federico Staksrud.

Hunter Johnson vs. Federico Staksrud: A Championship Comeback

The final did not start in Johnson’s favor.

Staksrud took the opening game 11-7, putting Johnson in an early deficit. But Johnson quickly adjusted, increasing the pressure and taking greater control of the rallies.

The momentum shifted dramatically.

Johnson answered with an 11-3 win in the second game before completely controlling the deciding game, closing out the championship with an 11-0 finish.

Final score: 7-11, 11-3, 11-0.

After the win, Johnson summed up what the moment meant:

“This is what you work for. I played well all week and I’m just gonna keep my head down and work for that No. 1 spot.”

In one of the most competitive and unpredictable divisions on the PPA Tour, Johnson had worked his way through the draw, defeated the tournament’s top two seeds, and returned to the top of the podium.

Career Singles Title No. 9 for Hunter Johnson

The North Carolina victory added another milestone to Johnson’s professional pickleball career.

With nine singles titles, Johnson now sits third on the all-time men’s singles title list, behind Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud.

More importantly, the victory ended a title drought dating back to March and showed that Johnson remains firmly among the players capable of competing for the biggest singles titles on the PPA Tour.

For MEHAU, the championship also came at an important moment.

Johnson recently joined MEHAU as a professional athlete, and his return to the winner’s circle came with the MEHAU S5 in his hand.

Hunter Johnson’s Paddle: The MEHAU S5

Throughout his championship run, Johnson competed with the MEHAU S5, MEHAU’s flagship performance pickleball paddle.

Built for the speed and intensity of high-level play, the S5 features MEHAU’s Airpoom™ aerodynamic frame and a multi-layer carbon surface designed to balance fast handling, stability, spin and controlled power.

That combination complements Johnson’s aggressive singles game, where quick acceleration, precise placement and the ability to transition rapidly from defense to offense are critical.

From his opening-round comeback to victories over the tournament’s No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, Johnson carried the S5 all the way to the championship podium.

Hunter Johnson and MEHAU Reach the Top of the PPA Podium

A professional championship is ultimately won by the player.

It takes preparation, decision-making, execution and the ability to adjust when a match is not going according to plan. Equipment plays a supporting role, but at the highest level of pickleball, players need equipment they can trust when the margins become increasingly small.

For Hunter Johnson, the new PPA season began with exactly that kind of performance.

Nine career singles titles. Victories over the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. A three-game comeback in the championship match—and the MEHAU S5 in hand when he lifted the trophy.

For MEHAU, the victory marks another step onto the highest levels of professional pickleball competition.

The season is just getting started.

Explore the MEHAU S5 and discover the paddle competing at the highest level of professional pickleball.

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