Ben Cawston: Europe’s No.1, 17 golds, and the surprising sporting crossover

In this episode of the World Pickleball Podcast, host Chris Beaumont sits down with one of the most dominant forces in global pickleball right now: Ben Cawston, the RTA European No. 1 in Men’s Doubles, reigning European Champion, and one of the fastest-rising players in the sport.

At just 23 years old, Ben has already built a remarkable sporting résumé. A former World No. 1 in rackets and the youngest Rackets World Champion in over a century, he transitioned into pickleball in 2023 and has since taken complete control of the European scene. Alongside his partner Théo Platel, he remains unbeaten in Europe, with 17 European Pro gold medals and a record-leading 5.807 DUPR rating, the highest of any player competing on the continent.

In this conversation, Ben breaks down his dominant 2026 season, including recent gold medal performances in Vienna, Rome, and Barcelona, and explains the tactical chemistry behind his unstoppable partnership. He also reflects on his unique sporting background, from tracking 185mph rackets shots to becoming one of the most feared players at the pickleball kitchen line.

The discussion then expands to the global stage. Ben shares insights from competing on the PPA Tour, his experience in PPA Asia, and his role as a star international player in the World Pickleball League. He also analyses his narrow loss to top American pros at the Hangzhou Open, offering a clear view of how close Europe’s best are to breaking through at the highest level.

From European dominance to global ambition, this episode provides a rare look at one of the sport’s most fascinating crossover athletes and what the future of international pickleball may look like.

Topics covered include:

• Ben Cawston’s dominance in European pickleball
• Partnership success with Théo Platel
• RTA rankings and DUPR performance metrics
• Transition from rackets world champion to pickleball pro
• Competing on the PPA Tour and PPA Asia
• World Pickleball League and global expansion
• Tactical insights into elite doubles play

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