'WPBL is building something special' - Johnny Goldberg on leading Chennai Super Champs in season 2

He mentors world No. 1 Federico Staksrud across men’s singles and doubles.

When the World Pickleball League (WPBL) stepped into its second season on January 27, Chennai Super Champs made a decisive move off the court by appointing one of the most respected young minds in the global game to lead their campaign.

Johnny Goldberg, a seasoned professional pickleball coach and former elite competitor from the United States, took the charge as head coach with the mandate of pushing the franchise into playoff contention.

All said and done, he embarked on that mission in an emphatic manner by guiding his side to notch a 12-3 win against the Dilli Dillwale on the opening day of the competition.

At just 31, Goldberg already represents a gold standard in modern pickleball coaching. Since turning professional in 2020, he has blended his competitive success with an astute and sharp tactical acumen, winning the gold in men’s doubles at the APP New Jersey Open and bronze at the APP Hilton Head Open.

More significantly, his coaching credentials have placed him among the most trusted figures in the sport, currently serving as Head Coach of the Miami Pickleball Club in Major League Pickleball, which is a role that he has held for three seasons, including leading the team to a championship in 2024.

“The WPBL is growing fast and more importantly, doing it the right way. The level of organisation, international talent, and the focus on team culture make it a league that coaches genuinely want to be part of. I am excited about what we can build with Chennai,” Goldberg said ahead of the season.

Goldberg’s coaching philosophy is rooted in his experience as a high-level competitor and a strategist. Known for his ability to identify emerging talent, and construct match-specific game plans, he has mentored several of the world’s top professionals.

Among them is Federico Staksrud, the current world No. 1, whom Goldberg continues to guide at the highest level across men’s singles and doubles.

His path into pickleball is as unconventional as it is telling. Goldberg discovered the sport in 2018 while studying law, searching for a competitive outlet.

Also Read: World Pickleball League 2026: Mumbai Pickle Power fall to Dilli Dillwale in nail-biting thriller

With no racquet-sport background and having grown up playing baseball, basketball, and football, he progressed rapidly, competing at a 3.0-4.0 level within his first year and turning professional by the end of his second.

That accelerated learning curve now informs his coaching, in turn, allowing him to relate to athletes at every stage of development.

For the Chennai Super Champs, Goldberg’s arrival highlights a sheer shift in approach. The franchise has shown flashes of quality, but now turns to clarity and elite preparation to take the next step.

Goldberg’s training plans, focus on mental readiness, and an ability to read opposition tendencies bring a level of tactical sophistication that could prove decisive over the course of a demanding season.

With WPBL Season 2 set to raise the competitive bar, Johnny Goldberg’s presence enhances Chennai Super Champs’ credibility and also marks a new beginning, i.e. one that’s built on strategy and the belief that sustained excellence starts with leadership from the top.

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