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Ben Johnson: A visual odyssey into tennis and beyond

Published

4 months ago

September 4, 2025

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Photo courtesy of Ben Johnson.

Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.

Content creator and tennis influencer Ben Johnson has accomplished remarkable things in just two years. He has conducted exclusive interviews with tennis legends like Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams, directed and starred in global campaigns for recognizable brands such as Four Seasons, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren and Wilson, and has garnered over 500 million views across social media. By employing a dramatic cinematic approach to the game, he presents his followers with a new and modern perspective on tennis. At the same time, he’s also worked with major broadcasters like Sky TV and the BBC at a variety of world-class tournaments, including Wimbledon.

From lockdown to The Tennis 101

Ben’s journey into becoming a tennis lifestyle content creator began during the COVID-19 lockdown. Back then, with the world reeling, he rediscovered his love for tennis. Combining his longtime passion for the sport with his background as a creative director, Ben launched Tennis 101’s Instagram in the summer of 2023. But what started out as a personal project quickly transformed into his full-time career.

Today, through his platform, Ben directs, films, edits, and produces all of his own content, operating as a kind of “one-man band living out [his] tennis dream.” He focuses mainly on providing a traveler’s eye view of tennis travel and culture, with an emphasis on the decadent tours of cliffside courts in Italy, oceanfront resorts in the Caribbean, and desert landscapes in the American Southwest.

Reshaping how others view tennis

Ben is inspired by a lifelong desire to combine music, film, and sport. During lockdown, he began to seriously consider how tennis is portrayed to the public. He feels he’s a pioneer in his field because he brings a fresh new perspective, blending creativity, emotion, and beauty in his presentation of a sport that, in the past, has often been presented in a very dry and old-fashioned way.

Ultimately, his ambition is to help people connect with tennis in a deeper, more visceral way, and many, after seeing his work, are inspired to embrace the sport. “A tennis court can be more than a venue—it can be a window into a culture, a place, a dream,” he explains.

Thriving in creative chaos

Despite the incredibly demanding workload that comes from being a one-person production team, Ben thrives and enjoys his “creative chaos,” as he calls it. He admits that the combination of constant travel, daily posting, and striving for film perfection does challenge him, but his passion keeps him going.

Even though he’s a huge advocate of hard work, he realizes there’s a need for balance to avoid burnout. His advice to others is to follow their dreams, work hard, stay true to their vision, but also prioritize their mental and emotional well-being to fulfill their various goals.

Future work and creative expansion

Looking ahead, Ben plans to continue developing creatively and collaborating with other forward-thinking brands across sports, travel, and fashion. He’s in the process of launching a performance sportswear line and a chic tennis accessory brand. His aim is to create products that reflect the modern tennis lifestyle and attitude, with the ultimate goal of expanding into new formats and bigger ideas. His dream is to make an even deeper creative impact on the world.

Tennis as culture, life, and art

Ben Johnson’s core message is thus: tennis is more than just a sport; it embodies a culture, fuels a lifestyle, and expresses itself as an art form. By adopting his unique and modern approach to the sport, he aims to inspire others to think bigger, break out of their comfort zones, and pursue their ideas and dreams.

He is quietly redefining the global perception of tennis by sharing stunning, often overlooked courts and talent worldwide through his captivating and carefully designed videos. From misty mountain courts in Switzerland to sun-drenched hideaways in the Caribbean, every shot he takes tells a story. “You don’t have to be a pro to play somewhere beautiful,” he emphasizes. “That’s the magic—tennis can take you places.”

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Emerald Acres Volleyball Tournament | MyRadioLink.com

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Emerald Acres Volleyball Tournament | MyRadioLink.com

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Former Illini basketball sharpshooter Luke Goode engaged to Illinois volleyball star Kayla Burbage

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Love is in the air for two of Champaign’s top athletes in recent years. Former Illini men’s basketball wing Luke Goode popped the question to Illinois volleyball middle blocker Kayla Burbage, the couple shared via Instagram on Wednesday.

“Proverbs 18:22: ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord,’” Goode wrote. “Going into the New Years as future Mr. and Mrs. Goode!”

Goode spent the first three years of his college career in Champaign, graduating from the Gies School of Business in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. After his sophomore season was cut short due to a foot injury, Goode bounced back as a junior, playing in all 38 games for the 2024 Elite Eight team. That season, the 6-foot-7 sharpshooter averaged 5.7 points and shot 38.9% from three on just over four attempts per game.

Last season, Goode spent his final year of eligibility playing for his home state Indiana Hoosiers before turning pro. He is currently suiting up for the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League. In 11 games so far as a rookie, Goode is putting up 7.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in just above 20 minutes per game.

Burbage just finished up her final season of college volleyball. After spending her freshman campaign at Missouri, Burbage decided to make the move to Champaign. As a sophomore and junior, Burbage played in every match on Illinois’ schedule: 60 total. A shoulder injury sidelined the 6-foot-4 North Carolina native for her senior season, but she returned for a graduate year in 2025. In her final season at Huff Hall, Burbage ranked second in total blocks (82.0) for the Illini and had the fifth-most kills on the team (98).

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Hawkeyes Knock Down Nebraska – Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics

Published

2 hours ago

January 2, 2026

Your Sports Nation

IOWA CITY, Iowa – No. 14 Iowa (12-2, 3-0) defeated No. 20 Nebraska (12-2, 1-2) on New Years Day inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, 86-76.

Sophomore Chit-Chat Wright dominated the day for the Hawkeyes with a career-high 24 points, three assists, and two steals. Senior Hannah Stuelke followed with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists to notch her third double-double of the season.

The Huskers came out to a fast-paced 8-0 run to start the game. Stuelke got the scoring started for Iowa by getting to the line, sinking both free-throws. Three minutes into gameplay, the Hawkeyes began to capitalize on Nebraska miscues. Sophomore Ava Heiden led a 7-0 run for Iowa to bring the gap to 9-12 with 4:46 left in the quarter. The Huskers contained a narrow 21-18 lead headed into the second quarter.

Wright drained a three-pointer to start the second period, tying up the score for the first time on the day. The Hawkeyes went on to gain nine points on seven forced Husker turnovers in the half. Heiden led the quarter with eight points going 4-for-4 on field goals. A combined 26 points, shooting 66.7 percent in the quarter, left Iowa behind 44-45 at half.

The Hawkeyes came out of the locker room with an 8-2 run to put them in front. Iowa forced four Husker turnovers in the first three minutes of the third quarter, capitalizing five points off of them. Stuelke continued to be a difference maker for Iowa with seven points and two rebounds. This momentum pushed Iowa up 64-61 heading into the fourth.

In the final quarter, the Hawkeyes continued their defensive pursuit, forcing five more turnovers, adding to their total of 18 on the day. Senior Taylor McCabe hit a three-point basket at 4:32 to power Iowa to the end. The Hawkeyes pushed out a 15-6 run to secure a Hawkeye victory.

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Dallas Pulse set to make history in season opener at Comerica Center

Published

4 hours ago

January 2, 2026

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North Texas’ first women’s professional volleyball team will officially launch its inaugural season on Saturday, Jan. 10.

DALLAS — For North Texas volleyball fans, Saturday’s season opener represents more than just a first serve, it’s the beginning of something the region has been waiting for.

The Dallas Pulse, the region’s first women’s professional volleyball team, will open its inaugural season Saturday, Jan. 10, hosting the Indiana franchise at Comerica Center in Frisco.

The matchup marks the first Major League Volleyball game played by a Dallas-based team and is a milestone moment for the metroplex.

The Pulse will play 14 home matches during the 2026 Major League Volleyball season, giving local fans a consistent opportunity to support a women’s pro team built in their own backyard.

Saturday, Jan. 10 – Indy
Thursday, Jan. 15 – San Diego
Thursday, Feb. 5 – Omaha
Sunday, Feb. 8 – Grand Rapids
Thursday, Feb. 19 – Indy
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Grand Rapids
Friday, Feb. 27 – Orlando
Friday, March 13 – Columbus
Sunday, March 15 – Atlanta
Saturday, March 21 – San Diego
Thursday, March 26 – Atlanta
Friday, April 17 – Columbus
Friday, May 1 – Omaha
Sunday, May 3 – Orlando

Leading the team into its first season is head coach Shannon Winzer, who was named to the role in September. The January debut places Dallas at the center of the league’s early growth as women’s professional volleyball continues to gain momentum nationwide.

The timing feels right for North Texas. The region has long been a volleyball hotbed, producing elite athletes through nationally recognized club programs, championship high school teams and top-tier collegiate programs. Until now, many of those players, and the fans who followed them, had no local professional team to rally behind.

Dallas Pulse leadership told WFAA that they hope to change that.

Season ticket deposits are currently open, and the Pulse holds the No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Volleyball Draft scheduled for Nov. 24, giving the team a chance to add a cornerstone player ahead of its debut season.

Major League Volleyball is also preparing for future growth, announcing plans to add expansion teams in Washington, D.C. and Northern California in 2027.

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Iola outside hitter takes top honor on Texas 2A all-state volleyball team | APG State News

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4 hours ago

January 2, 2026

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Tritons Set for Preseason North American Challenge

Published

6 hours ago

January 2, 2026

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LONG BEACH, Calif. — UC San Diego men’s volleyball will prepare for the upcoming season with four exhibitions this weekend as part of the North American Challenge. The event will be hosted by Long Beach State on Friday and Sunday at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.

The Tritons will play two Canadian sides, Alberta and Calagry. They will play each team once on both days of the challenge.

SCHEDULE

Friday, Jan. 2

2 PM – vs Calgary

4:30 PM – vs Alberta

Sunday, Jan. 4

12:30 PM – vs Alberta

3 PM – vs Calgary

Live stats for all four matches will be available HERE. Fans interested in attending matches can purchase tickets through Long Beach State HERE.

UP NEXT
The Tritons open the 2026 season at home next Tuesday, Jan. 6. Jessup will visit LionTree Arena for a match that begins at 7 PM.

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.