Top Professional Pickleball Players Male And Female
Welcome to the world of professional pickleball, where top athletes showcase their skills in one of America's fastest-growing sports. This article introduces some of the best-known male and female pros and explains how rankings and tours work. Rankings and results change constantly, so this is a snapshot based on information from around 2022 and 2023; check the PPA Tour, APP Tour, Major League Pickleball and DUPR for current standings.
Overview Of Pickleball
Pickleball began as a backyard pastime and has grown into a competitive professional sport, with players competing at tournaments worldwide.
History, Rules, And Court Layout
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum, who wanted a game for their families. The sport's national governing body, now called USA Pickleball (formerly the USAPA), was founded in 1984.
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton. The court measures 20 feet by 44 feet, the same as a doubles badminton court, and is used for both singles and doubles. The net is 36 inches high at the sidelines and 34 inches in the center. Players use solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball, and a 7-foot non-volley zone near the net, known as the "kitchen," prevents players from volleying close to the net.
Top Male Pickleball Players
Ben Johns
Ben Johns, who grew up in Maryland, has been widely regarded as the top men's player in the sport for much of the pro era, with titles in singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles. He has often played men's doubles with his older brother Collin Johns, and he is known for being able to hit with either hand. Ben has reportedly won over 100 consecutive singles matches at points in his career; records like this change over time, so check the current stats.
Kyle Yates
Kyle Yates is a veteran professional and one of the early stars of the sport. He has won numerous titles over his career and has been involved in coaching and promoting pickleball.
Tyson McGuffin
Tyson McGuffin is one of the most recognizable players in professional pickleball and is known for his singles game. He grew up in Washington state, started playing in about 2015 after being introduced by a tennis student, and has been one of the top-ranked players for years.
Dekel Bar
Dekel Bar is a former professional tennis player from Israel who moved to pickleball and has competed among the top men's doubles players on tour.
Adam Stone
Adam Stone is a former collegiate tennis player who became a top doubles player on the pro tours and reached the men's doubles final at the 2021 US Open Pickleball Championships.
Zane Navratil
Zane Navratil is an American pro who played Division III tennis at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater before leaving a career in accounting to play full time in 2020. He has won over 100 pro medals, and he shares tips and drills on his YouTube channel. See our full profile for more.
Top Female Pickleball Players
Well-known women on the pro circuit include Anna Leigh Waters, Simone Jardim, Catherine Parenteau, Lucy Kovalova, Irina Tereschenko, Corrine Carr Siebenschein, and Sarah Ansboury.
Anna Leigh Waters
Anna Leigh Waters, born in 2007, turned pro at age 12 and quickly became one of the sport's youngest stars. She has been ranked No. 1 in women's doubles and mixed doubles on the PPA Tour and has also competed at a high level in singles. She often plays doubles with her mother, Leigh Waters. She has won many PPA Tour and US Open titles; exact counts change with every tournament.
Simone Jardim
Simone Jardim, a Brazilian-born former college tennis player and coach, was the dominant women's player in the early years of the pro game, winning the US Open women's singles title four years in a row from 2016 to 2019 and holding the world No. 1 ranking from about 2016 to 2020. She was inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame in 2024. See our full profile for more.
Corrine Carr Siebenschein
Corrine Carr Siebenschein (formerly Corrine Carr) is a long-time pro who has won titles in women's doubles. She married fellow player Rafael Siebenschein.
Lucy Kovalova
Lucy Kovalova is a Slovakia-born former college tennis player who has been a top mixed doubles and women's doubles player on the pro tours.
Sarah Ansboury
Sarah Ansboury is a pro from the mid-Atlantic region who has been a regular on the pro tour.
Irina Tereschenko
Irina Tereschenko is a long-time pro and former racquet sports coach who has been among the best women's singles and doubles players, and she won the women's singles title at the USAPA Nationals.
Professional Rankings
Professional pickleball players are ranked using results from professional tours and events. Because there are several tours and rating systems, the player ranked No. 1 can differ depending on the list.
How Are Pickleball Players Ranked?
Recreational players are often described by skill level on a scale from about 2.0 to 5.5 or higher, with beginners near 2.0 to 3.0 and advanced and pro players at 5.0 and above. The DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) system produces a numerical rating that updates after every match, typically between about 2.0 and 8.0. UTPR (the USA Pickleball Tournament Player Rating) is another system, used for seeding and placement in sanctioned tournaments. Pro tours such as the PPA Tour and APP Tour publish their own ranking points lists based on tournament results.
Understanding The Different Ranking Systems
No single list covers every player. Tour rankings (PPA, APP, MLP) are based on tournament results, while DUPR is based on match results across all levels. Skill rating descriptions from USA Pickleball (the player skill rating rubric) are self-assessment tools for recreational play.
Major Pickleball Tournaments
Major events include the US Open Pickleball Championships, the USA Pickleball National Championships, and the stops on the PPA Tour, APP Tour and Major League Pickleball. These events draw top-ranked pros from around the world and offer prize money and sponsor visibility. Tournament schedules and tour structures have changed over the years, so check each tour's website for the current calendar.
Sponsorship And Endorsements In Professional Pickleball
Companies And Brands Supporting Pickleball Players
As the sport has grown, paddle makers, apparel brands and non-endemic companies have signed on as sponsors. Examples around 2022-2023 included Carvana as title sponsor of the PPA Tour and brands like Skechers and Michelob Ultra. Celebrity investors such as LeBron James, Tom Brady and Will Ferrell have also put money into Major League Pickleball teams.
Benefits Of Sponsorship And Endorsements For Players
Sponsorships and endorsements are a major source of income for pros beyond tournament winnings. Brands gain exposure to a growing audience, and players gain financial stability and equipment support. Deals change often.
Future Of Professional Pickleball
Growing Popularity And Media Attention
Pro pickleball has gained mainstream media attention and investment, with matches broadcast on networks and streaming platforms. Coverage and broadcast partners change over time, so check each tour's site for current viewing options.
Tennis Pros Transitioning to Pickleball
Many pro pickleball players come from tennis, including Zane Navratil, who played Division III tennis, and Simone Jardim, a former college tennis player and coach. Tennis experience transfers well to pickleball's strokes and footwork, and the growth of prize money has encouraged more tennis players to make the switch.
Opportunities For New Players To Join The Pro Circuit
Aspiring pros usually start by playing amateur and age-group tournaments and building a rating and results record. Joining a pro tour typically requires meeting that tour's entry requirements, and the costs of travel, equipment and tournament fees can be significant. Sponsorship deals can help offset costs.
Conclusion
Professional pickleball is a fast-evolving sport with a growing roster of stars. Rankings, tours and sponsors change often, so use this article as an introduction and check the latest sources for current standings. As with any physical activity, talk to your doctor if you have injury concerns before ramping up your play.
