The Top 12 Pickleball Players | Masters of the Court

Let’s explore Pickleball Players. As pickleball continues to captivate audiences, the sport has evolved with new talents and seasoned professionals leading the fray. An Association of Pickleball Professionals Tour report showed that about 36.5 million people play pickleball in the United States. Its rising popularity means heightened interest in the game’s biggest stars. The PPA Tour rankings provide a glimpse into the elite Players dominating the courts. Let’s look at who’s leading the pack halfway through, as the world’s best players in pickleball compete on professional tours.

Men’s Top 12 – A Blend of Skill and Strategy

Ben Johns (USA, 24)
He is known for his powerful serve and aggressive play.
He is considered one of the most dominant pickleball players in the world.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the 2021 US Open and the 2022 PPA National Championships
Collin Johns (USA, 30)
He is known for his consistency and ability to mix up his shots.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the 2022 PPA Texas Open and the 2022 PPA Newport Beach Open.
JW Johnson (USA, 21)
This man is known for his athleticism and ability to make big plays.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the PPA Selkirk Texas Open and the PPA Carvana Open.
He will be an up-and-coming star in the pickleball world.
Dylan Frazier (USA, 21)
He is a powerful player who is known for his hard-hitting style.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the PPA Margaritaville Open at the Ranch and the PPA St. Petersburg Open.
He is known for his aggressive play and powerful serve.
Matt Wright (USA, 46)
He is a veteran player who is known for his experience and his ability to read the game.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the 2022 PPA Huntsman Salt Lake City Open and the PPA Horseshoe Bend Open.
He is one of the most experienced players in the pickleball world.
Riley Newman (USA, 30)
He is an athletic player known for his ability to make big plays.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the PPA Atlantic City Open and the PPA Pacific Northwest Open.
He will be an up-and-coming star in the pickleball world.
Federico Staksrud (Argentina, 27)
He is an international player known for his powerful serve and aggressive play.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the 2022 PPA Argentina Open and the PPA US Open.
He is one of the top international players in pickleball in the world.
Pablo Tellez (Colombia, 28)
He is an international player known for his consistent play and ability to mix up his shots.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the 2022 PPA Colombia Open and the PPA Costa Rica Open.
He is one of the top international players in pickleball in the world.
James Ignatowich (USA, 23)
He is an athletic player known for his ability to make big plays.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the PPA St. Louis Open and the PPA Cincinnati Open.
An Up-and-coming star in the pickleball world
Tyson McGuffin (USA, 33)
He is a competitive player who is known for his never-give-up attitude.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the PPA Cleveland Open and the PPA Florida Open.
Known for his tenacity and ability to grind out wins
DJ Young (Spain, 23)
He is an international player known for his skill and ability to make big plays.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the PPA Spain Open and the PPA French Open.
One of the top international players in pickleball in the world.
Julian Arnold (USA, 32)
This man is a veteran player known for his experience and ability to read the game.
He has won numerous tournaments, including the 2022 PPA Kansas Open and the PPA Charleston Open.
One of the most experienced players in the pickleball world.

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Women’s Top 12 – Showcasing Grace and Power

Anna Leigh Waters (USA, 16)

She is a true phenom, known for her well-rounded excellence and grace under pressure.
She has won numerous tournaments, including the US Open and the PPA National Championships.

Catherine Parenteau (Canada, 29)

She is a powerful player known for her fearlessness on the court.
She has won numerous tournaments, including the 2022 PPA Canadian Open.

Anna Bright (USA, 24)

Possesses remarkable skill and speed, using her quick reflexes to her advantage.
Has achieved consistent success, winning numerous tournaments.

Callie Smith (USA, 32)

She is a master strategist known for her ability to read opponents well.

Lucy Kovalova (Slovakia, 31)

Her unorthodox approach brings a unique style to the court, captivating spectators.

Allyce Jones (USA, 36)

Combining her wealth of experience with remarkable agility makes her a formidable opponent.

Lea Jansen (USA, 31)

She is a precision player known for her pinpoint accuracy and consistent play.

Meghan Dizon (USA, 30)

She is a solid player with a consistent game, known for her reliability and unwavering determination.

Jessie Irvine (USA, 34)

Unloads powerful shots, showcasing her strength and athleticism on the court.

Etta Wright (USA, 31)

She is a strategic player known for outsmarting her opponents with well-calculated shots.

Vivienne David (Canada, 26)

Possesses a unique style and athleticism, captivating spectators with her unorthodox approach.

Irina Tereschenko (Russia, 40)

A veteran player, demonstrating that experience is invaluable in the fast-paced world of pickleball.

women's top 12-showcasing grace and power

Who is at the Top?

The Czar of Pickleball – Men’s Singles #1

Collin Johns (Sponsor: Electrum) – 16,000 points
Young phenom at just 22 years old
With brother Ben, widely considered the face of professional pickleball

First Lady of the Courts – Women’s Singles #1

Anna Leigh Waters – 15,300 points

The Wonder Twins – Men’s Doubles #1s

Ben Johns and Collin Johns

Queens of the Diamond – Women’s Doubles #1s

Lea Jansen & Morgan Evans

His & Hers Mixed Doubles Monarchs – #1s

Ben Johns & Sarah Asbury

With universal name recognition and growing fan bases, these five athletes currently rank as pickleball’s cream of the cream heading. Their sustained excellence pushes the sport’s popularity to new heights.

Conclusion

The pickleball season has been a showcase of talent, resilience, and strategic mastery. As the sport grows in popularity and recognition, these top players continue to set high standards and inspire upcoming talents. Their diverse backgrounds and playing styles make pickleball a global and exciting sport. Fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling performances from these top athletes with the season still unfolding.

FAQs

Who is the #1 player right now?

On both the men’s and women’s sides, Ben Johns, with 17,700 points, and Anna Leigh Waters, with 20,500 points, top the rankings.

What country has the most top players?

The United States dominates with nine players in the men’s top 12 and 8 in the women’s top 12. However, international talent is emerging from Canada, Slovakia, and Colombia.

How important is age in pickleball?

While young phenoms like the Johns brothers and Anna Leigh Waters lead the rankings, veterans in their 30s and 40s like Matt Wright and Allyce Jones still compete using intelligence gained over time.

What separates the best from recreational players?

The top athletes train intensely on elements like hand-eye coordination, quick lateral movement, sustained concentration, and strategy based on opponents’ weaknesses.

Who are rising stars to watch?

Young guns JW Johnson, Dylan Frazier, Anna Bright, and DJ Young display rapid improvement early in their careers. Their future potential could further propel pickleball into the mainstream if they become breakout stars.