DEVELOPMENT
Yates' journey from the world of professional tennis to the realm of competitive pickleball is nothing short of remarkable. Growing up in the picturesque ski town of Taos, New Mexico, Yates and his identical twin brother, Hunter, immersed themselves in a variety of sports, including tennis, skiing, baseball, hockey, and soccer.
Their dedication to tennis paid off when Yates earned a scholarship to play Division 1 tennis at SMU in Dallas, Texas, where he also obtained his degree. Alongside his brother Hunter, Yates achieved unprecedented success on the tennis court, becoming the most successful doubles team in the history of SMU. Their remarkable partnership culminated in a career-high doubles ranking of 15 in the country, showcasing their formidable skills on the court.
After graduating from college, Yates and Hunter made the leap to the professional tennis circuit, competing as a dynamic doubles duo on the ATP tour for four years. Their journey took them across the globe, with over 20 countries as their playground. Along the way, they amassed an impressive record, securing a combined total of 14 professional titles. Notable victories over top-tier players like Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime underscored their prowess and potential in the sport.
However, adversity struck when Yates faced a debilitating injury that plagued him for five months. In the face of this setback, Yates and his brother made the difficult decision to bid farewell to professional tennis and transition to full-time competition in the world of professional pickleball. Their bold move marked them as the first active pro tennis players to make such a transition.
Since embracing pickleball as their new competitive endeavor, Yates has wasted no time making waves in the sport. With victories over renowned players like Ben Johns and Tyson McGuffin, Yates has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the pickleball court. His relentless drive
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PPA Tour: Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships
Bracket Completed
Gold:
Ben Johns
Silver:
Connor Garnett
Bronze:
Hunter Johnson
Bracket Completed
Match #24
May 13
Layne Sleeth, Tyler Loong
G1
11
-2
G2
11
-4
Yates Johnson, Lina Padegimaite
G1
11
2
G2
11
4
Gold:
Anna Leigh Waters / Ben Johns
Silver:
Etta Tuionetoa / Christian Alshon
Bronze:
Jorja Johnson / JW Johnson
Bracket Completed
Match #18
May 14
Eric Oncins, Rafa Hewett
G1
4
-11
G2
11
-6
G3
11
-6
Marshall Brown, Yates Johnson
G1
4
11
G2
11
6
G3
11
6
Gold:
JW Johnson / CJ Klinger
Silver:
Ben Johns / Gabriel Tardio
Bronze:
Andrei Daescu / Christian Alshon
