Hunter Johnson is the world #1 singles pickleball player — the top spot in the fastest-growing sport on the planet, and a title that comes with way more pressure than people realize. In this episode, Hunter sits down with Roscoe and Jared to talk about what it actually feels like to be #1 in the world — the confidence it takes to get there, the doubts that creep in once you finally arrive, and the psychological weight of knowing every match is someone else’s Super Bowl. He breaks down the “now what?” moment after reaching the pinnacle, how he deals with the target on his back, and why he’s still more hungry than ever to keep the spot. Hunter explains why singles is the future of the sport — and why he believes it’s the format that will make pickleball go mainstream. They talk the Lifetime ball, how singles strategy has changed, why baseline pressure is becoming more valuable, and how the separation between pros and everyone else is getting bigger fast. Plus: the biggest threats to the #1 ranking, how he thinks about the field (Fed, Haworth, Connor, Garnett, and more), and the small tactical adjustments that actually decide matches at the top. Hunter opens up about the mental side of competing — negative self-talk, self-sabotage, pressure, perspective, faith, and what kind of champion he wants to be on and off the court. They also revisit the Lakeland match, momentum (real or not), what it taught him, and how he’s approaching 2026 with a better mindset and a clearer purpose. Delivered by @DoorDash ! 🚘 Pickleballers Hat: 🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521 Instagram: 📲 @pickleballers 📲 @thekitchenpickleball 📲 @roscoebellamy 📲 @jpaulthechef 2:29 — The pressure of #1: psychology, emotions, staying hungry 2:59 — Hunter vs Yates (Palm Springs match) 5:28 — Pickleball time moves different (tour life perspective) 8:13 — Gratitude + why being a pro makes time feel “slow” 9:18 — Lakeland controversy + the post moment 11:00 — The real issue: self-talk, mindset, and being watched as #1 12:09 — “Now what?” after reaching the pinnacle + staying there 13:35 — Self-awareness, faith, perspective, and owning your behavior 16:35 — The platform of #1: being a role model for juniors 19:15 — Target on his back + using pressure as fuel 20:18 — Momentum: real vs mental construct 23:18 — Who threatens the #1 spot? 28:59 — Hot take: singles will make pickleball mainstream 30:24 — Why singles pops on TV 32:07 — Hot take: Ben & Anna Leigh should split and become rivals 35:49 — Ball talk: Lifetime vs Franklin 38:15 — Recovery: Hunter’s full routine 41:04 — 120-second backstory 43:40 — “Civil war draft”: 3 pros you’re taking to survive 45:57 — Hunter vs Anna Leigh practice story 47:46 — How far could Anna Leigh go in men’s singles? 48:44 — The future
