Pickleball is booming. More people are playing it than ever before. As the sport grows, so does the competition. Let’s dive into the world of pickleball rankings for 2024.
What Are Pickleball Rankings?
Pickleball rankings show who’s the best. They list players based on how well they do in tournaments. The more you win, the higher you rank.
How Rankings Work
Points make up the rankings. Players earn points by:
- Winning matches
- Placing well in tournaments
- Beating higher-ranked opponents
The more important the tournament, the more points you can win.
Top Pickleball Rankings Systems
There isn’t just one ranking system. A few different groups rank players. Let’s look at the main ones.
PPA Tour Rankings
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) is a big deal. They run major tournaments. Their rankings are respected.
APP Tour Rankings
The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) is another key player. They have their own tour and ranking system.
USA Pickleball Rankings
This is the official governing body for pickleball in the US. They rank amateur players too.
Men’s Pickleball Rankings 2024
The men’s division is fierce. Here are the top players to watch.
Singles Rankings
- Ben Johns
- Tyson McGuffin
- JW Johnson
- Federico Staksrud
- Jay Devilliers
Ben Johns is still dominating. But watch out for JW Johnson. He’s climbing fast.
Men’s Doubles Rankings
- Ben Johns / Collin Johns
- Riley Newman / Matt Wright
- Tyson McGuffin / Riley Newman
- AJ Koller / Thomas Wilson
- Tyler Loong / Dekel Bar
The Johns brothers are tough to beat. But new pairs are forming all the time.
Women’s Pickleball Rankings 2024
The women’s division is just as exciting. Here are the standouts.
Singles Rankings
- Anna Leigh Waters
- Catherine Parenteau
- Lea Jansen
- Parris Todd
- Salome Devidze
Anna Leigh Waters is young but unstoppable. She’s rewriting the record books.
Women’s Doubles Rankings
- Anna Leigh Waters / Leigh Waters
- Catherine Parenteau / Jessie Irvine
- Callie Smith / Lucy Kovalova
- Parris Todd / Lauren Stratman
- Jade Kawamoto / Jackie Kawamoto
The mother-daughter duo of Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters is crushing it.
Mixed Doubles Pickleball Rankings 2024
Mixed doubles is where it gets really interesting. Here’s who’s on top:
- Anna Leigh Waters / Ben Johns
- Lucy Kovalova / Matt Wright
- Jessie Irvine / Jeffrey Warnick
- Catherine Parenteau / Riley Newman
- Lea Jansen / Tyson McGuffin
These pairs combine the best of both divisions. It’s thrilling to watch.
Rising Stars in Pickleball Rankings
New talent is always emerging. Keep an eye on these players:
- Jorja Johnson
- Jack Sock
- Zane Navratil
- Meghan Dizon
- Julian Arnold
They might not top the rankings yet, but they’re climbing fast.
How Rankings Changed in 2024
Pickleball rankings are always shifting. Here’s what’s new this year:
- More international players in the top 20
- Younger players moving up quickly
- New doubles pairs shaking things up
The sport is growing globally. That means more competition and exciting matches.
Factors Affecting Pickleball Rankings
Rankings aren’t just about talent. Other things matter too:
Tournament Participation
You can’t rank high if you don’t play. Top players compete a lot.
Injuries
Getting hurt can drop you in the rankings fast. Staying healthy is key.
New Partnerships
In doubles, finding the right partner can boost your ranking.
Rule Changes
When rules change, some players adapt better than others.
Why Pickleball Rankings Matter
Rankings aren’t just numbers. They’re important for several reasons:
Tournament Seeding
Higher-ranked players get better seeds. This can mean easier early matches.
Sponsorships
Companies want to sponsor top-ranked players. Rankings can mean money.
Fan Interest
Fans love to follow the rankings. It adds excitement to the sport.
Player Motivation
Rankings push players to improve. Everyone wants to move up.
How to Improve Your Pickleball Ranking
Want to climb the rankings? Here’s what to do:
- Play more tournaments
- Focus on your weaknesses
- Find a good coach
- Stay in shape
- Study the top players
It takes hard work, but anyone can improve their ranking.
Pickleball Rankings vs. Other Sports
How do pickleball rankings compare to other sports? Let’s see:
Tennis
Tennis has a similar ranking system. But it’s been around longer.
Table Tennis
Table tennis rankings are more established globally.
Badminton
Badminton has a strong international ranking system.
Pickleball is newer, but it’s catching up fast.
Challenges with Pickleball Rankings
Ranking systems aren’t perfect. There are some issues:
- Different systems can be confusing
- Not all tournaments count equally
- It’s hard for new players to break in
- Some say rankings favor certain playing styles
The sport is working on making rankings fairer and clearer.
The Future of Pickleball Rankings
What’s next for pickleball rankings? Here are some predictions:
- A unified global ranking system
- More weight is given to international tournaments
- Rankings for different age groups
- Better technology for tracking stats
As the sport grows, the rankings will evolve too.
Conclusion
Pickleball rankings are more than just lists. They shape the sport. Create stars. They drive competition.
In 2024, the rankings are tighter than ever. New faces are challenging the old guard. International players are making their mark.
For fans, rankings add excitement. Pickleball players, they’re a target to aim for. For the sport as a whole, they show how far pickleball has come.
Whether you’re a casual player or a pro, keep an eye on those pickleball rankings. They tell the story of a sport on the rise. And in 2024, that story is more thrilling than ever.