Latest Updates in Pickleball World Player Rankings and Tournaments
Did you know that pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States three years in a row? This happened after Lebron James and Tom Brady purchased their own pickleball teams. The celebrity attention it received led to major leagues like the World Pickleball Championship (WPC).
It has been an entertaining year for pickleball without a doubt, with new players like Gabriel Tardio battling established ones like Ben Johns. I cannot wait to see how this will get better in the Masters Championship in 2025!
Keep reading to see which players are world rankers today and which tournaments are causing increasing excitement among fans.
Pickleball Champions: An Overview
With each passing year, this sport made for leisure has evolved into a fiercely competitive one, with a world-ranking table of top players!
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching and learning from some truly exceptional pickleball players. With the help of my (healthy) obsession here’s some information about some incredible players dominating the court in 2024:
Men’s Doubles
My favorite duo- Ben Johns/Colin Johns, both Americans, have dominated the world rankings table this year. Both of them have earned more than 14,000 points at the age of 31 and 23. The synergy and coordination between the two is what has made them such a dominating force on the pickleball court.
Men’s Singles
Federico Staksrud from Argentina has racked up a whopping 19,100 points in the PPA. His recent performance at the 2024 Lapiplasty World Championships in Dallas was remarkable, where he not only competed but also secured gold.
Women’s Doubles
Their near-flawless performance in competitive pickleball has earned Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau a number one ranking in the PPA. Both have 21,700 points secured for themselves, making them one of the highest-ranking doubles teams I have seen in a long time!
Women’s Singles
Anna Leigh Waters has upheld her country’s flag proudly while winning the women’s singles, women’s doubles, and women’s mixed. Waters won gold in multiple major tournaments this year (much like the previous years), continuing her position as a fan favorite. Because of her world #1 ranking, she was even listed in Forbes’ 30 Under 30.
The Most Exciting Pickleball Tournaments
The pickleball tournaments this year have gifted us fans with incredible events, each bringing increasing and newer participation and fan engagement (including me, of course).
The tours and championships – both open and slam, have brought us a lot of action this year, including team-ups like D. Frazier and A. White that shook the court. Here are the ones that excited me the most:
World Pickleball Championship Series (WPC) 2024
In 2019, the WPC started as a single tournament in Florida. That remained the case in 2021, having missed a year due to the pandemic. It was in 2022 when the WPC gained traction, and three more tournaments were added internationally.
2024 brings us to the year when the WPC grew rapidly and had to be divided into a continental series. The matches were held in Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific. These tournaments showcased new players from so many different countries, giving fans a sneak peek into how pickleball is only growing.
But wait, there’s more to it–the winners of these continental series will be competing with each other in a WPC Masters in 2025, which will be held in Shanghai. So, keep your calendars marked to see some of the greatest pickleball action next year!
Pro Pickleball Association Tour 2024
The PPA Tour remains one of the most prestigious series in pickleball. For every tour, new and experienced players get together for thrilling matchups. When the PPA Tour began in 2020, Simone Jardim was the #1 player back then and Ben Johns had started dominating the field. The 2024 season has continued Ben John’s legacy.
Rate Championship Las Vegas
This tournament saw dramatic matches, with semifinals and finals that kept me on the literal edge of my seat.
The domination of the Colin Johns/Ben Johns partnership definitely caused this effect. This championship was, of course, incomplete without the most iconic mixed duo of Waters/Ben Johns for a classic yet satisfying win.
Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships
Held in Dallas, this event set a new benchmark for pickleball tournaments, with over 3,500 players participating.
Federico Staksrud’s performance in both Men’s Singles and Doubles was a highlight, while Anna Leigh Waters continued her dominance in Women’s Singles. This was the tournament in which the other Anna-aka Anna Bright replaced Waters’ Doubles win streak.
CIBC PPA Finals
The CIBC PPA finals will be held in December, and there will be a showdown between the leading names in pickleball. The finals will decide the fate of the champions for the 2024 season.
Veolia Milwaukee Open
The most current Open that has caused a stir in the pickleball community. The PPA Veolia Milwaukee Open was a showcase of elite pickleball talent, with intense matches and dramatic finishes.
The highlights of the recent matches were Anna Bright/Dylan Frazier returning to the court together after a year and winning the semifinal against Tyra Black/Hayden Patriquin.
It’s a good thing I had put my money on Federico Staksrud/Gabe Tardio defeating Andrei Daescu/Pablo Tellez in the semifinals and easily defeating CJ Klinger/James Ignatowich in the finals!
Final Thoughts
Pickleball has come a long way from its humble origin in a backyard. With extraordinary players like Federico Staksrud and Anna Leigh Waters leading tournaments like the Lapiplasty World Championships, 2024 has been a game-changing year for the sport.
Whether you’re a professional player or a curious sports enthusiast, there’s never been a better time to join the pickleball movement. Stay tuned for more updates as we enter an even more exciting year of this revolutionary sport!