Johnson was already training and competing with Gamer Grip’s Racquet & Paddle Formula before the partnership was agreed.
ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 10, 2026 — Gamer Grip™, the Performance Grip Formula that keeps athletes’ hands dry, has signed PPA men’s singles champion Hunter Johnson to a one-year partnership.
Under the agreement, Johnson will compete with the Racquet & Paddle Formula in the next season and work with the brand on content, product education and player engagement.
“Grip is one of those details that can decide a point, especially in long matches or when you’re playing in heat,” said Johnson. “I started using Gamer Grip because it keeps my hands dry without making the paddle feel sticky or leaving residue on the handle. It works, and that’s why I’m excited to officially join the team and get it in front of more players.”
Johnson reached No. 1 in the PPA men’s singles rankings in August 2025 and won men’s singles at the 2026 Pickleball National Championships in Cary, North Carolina on September 6.
He came to pickleball from tennis, where he played Division I at Southern Methodist University alongside his twin brother, Yates. Together, they became the winningest doubles team in SMU history. Johnson went on to win 13 ATP Challenger and ITF Futures doubles titles and reached a career-high World No. 201 in the ATP doubles rankings before moving into professional pickleball in 2022.
“Hunter is exactly the type of athlete we want representing Gamer Grip,” said Duncan Ironmonger, Co-Founder of Gamer Grip™. “He competes at the highest level, understands how much grip and control matter and, most importantly, genuinely uses the product.”
Gamer Grip’s fast-drying Performance Grip Formula creates an invisible moisture barrier between the skin and equipment, helping hands stay naturally dry for up to four hours without damaging or leaving residue on paddles, racquets or grips.
The signing is the latest step in an ecosystem approach to building the brand across racquet sports. Gamer Grip was recently named the Official Dry Hand Performance Solution of the Racquet Sports Professionals Association, connecting the brand with more than 14,000 teaching professionals worldwide. A coaching referral program built on that network puts the product in front of players through the professionals who teach them.
“We’re building Gamer Grip through an ecosystem rather than one-off endorsements,” Ironmonger added. “Official partnerships with the RSPA, our coaching referral program and athletes like Hunter all pull in the same direction. We want Gamer Grip to become part of every player’s preparation, from the professional tour to the local court.”
The Racquet & Paddle Formula is available at gamergrip.com.
About Hunter Johnson
Hunter Johnson is an American professional pickleball player, PPA men’s singles champion and former No. 1 in the PPA men’s singles rankings. He moved into professional pickleball in 2022 after a career in professional tennis and is based in New Braunfels, Texas.
Follow Hunter at instagram.com/hunterw.johnson.
About Gamer Grip™
Founded in 2011, Gamer Grip™ is a performance grip company dedicated to helping athletes and competitors keep their hands dry and maintain confidence when performance matters most.
Originally developed for the gaming industry, Gamer Grip has grown into a cross-performance brand with dedicated Performance Grip Formulas for Gaming, Racquet & Paddle, Golf, and Strength & Fitness.
Gamer Grip stops sweat at the source. Non-stick. No slip. No residue.
Get a Grip on Your Game™
Learn more at gamergrip.com. Follow Gamer Grip at instagram.com/gamergripusa.
Media Contact
Sarah Taylor
Gamer Grip
sarah@gamergrip.com
High-resolution images and interview availability on request.
