PPA Tour Atlanta Showdown: The PPA Tour Atlanta Pickleball Championships are fast approaching, offering a chance for top players to show their dominance at the season’s second Slam event. Set for Life Time Peachtree Corners in Atlanta, Georgia, from May 15-17, 2025, this tournament promises exciting matchups, fresh partnerships, and fierce competition.
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, long-time stars in the sport, are under pressure to reclaim their positions as the best in mixed and gender doubles. Both have faced unexpected losses this season, with Waters notably missing out on a triple crown since the Cape Coral Open in March. In mixed doubles, she will team up with Anna Bright, following her surprising split with Catherine Parenteau after a loss in the North Carolina Open women’s doubles final earlier this month.
For Johns, the Atlanta tournament provides an opportunity to regain his standing atop the men’s doubles rankings. Currently 1,100 points behind Federico Staksrud and 500 behind Andrei Daescu, Johns aims to close the gap in both the “Rank” and “The Race” for the 2025 season.
The tournament is the second of four Slams on the season, with winners receiving 2,000 ranking points. It will be held at the Life Time Peachtree Corners facility, featuring 40 courts, for the fourth consecutive year.
The current 2025 season standings in each division
| Division | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Doubles | Andrei Daescu | 7,300 |
| Men’s Doubles | Ben Johns | 6,800 |
| Men’s Doubles | Christian Alshon | 6,500 |
| Men’s Doubles | Federico Staksrud | 6,000 |
| Men’s Doubles | Hayden Patriquin | 5,800 |
| Men’s Mixed Doubles | Ben Johns | 6,700 |
| Men’s Mixed Doubles | JW Johnson | 5,500 |
| Men’s Mixed Doubles | Christian Alshon | 3,950 |
| Men’s Mixed Doubles | Federico Staksrud | 3,600 |
| Men’s Mixed Doubles | Dekel Bar | 3,600 |
| Men’s Singles | Federico Staksrud | 5,500 |
| Men’s Singles | Hunter Johnson | 4,100 |
| Men’s Singles | Jaume Martinez Vich | 3,750 |
| Men’s Singles | Christian Alshon | 3,700 |
| Men’s Singles | Connor Garnett | 2,550 |
| Women’s Doubles | Anna Leigh Waters | 8,500 |
| Women’s Doubles | Catherine Parenteau | 7,500 |
| Women’s Doubles | Tyra Black | 6,400 |
| Women’s Doubles | Rachel Rohrabacher | 5,800 |
| Women’s Doubles | Anna Bright | 5,800 |
| Women’s Mixed Doubles | Anna Leigh Waters | 6,700 |
| Women’s Mixed Doubles | Jorja Johnson | 5,700 |
| Women’s Mixed Doubles | Anna Bright | 4,400 |
| Women’s Mixed Doubles | Catherina Parenteau | 3,950 |
| Women’s Mixed Doubles | Tyra Black | 3,475 |
| Women’s Singles | Anna Leigh Waters | 6,500 |
| Women’s Singles | Kaitlyn Christian | 5,800 |
| Women’s Singles | Kate Fahey | 4,300 |
| Women’s Singles | Parris Todd | 3,900 |
| Women’s Singles | Lea Jansen | 3,700 |
Key Players and Partnerships to Watch
Several notable pairings are expected to compete in the men’s and women’s doubles categories. In men’s doubles, Ben Johns will partner with Gabe Tardio, who have won their last two tournaments, while the pairing of Andrei Daescu and Christian Alshon remains a strong contender with three titles already this season.
Other notable teams include Dekel Bar and Dylan Frazier, who reached the semifinals at the Red Rock Open, and Matt Wright and Riley Newman, returning for their second tournament together.
In women’s doubles, Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright are favorites after winning all seven tournaments they played together in 2023. Tyra Black and Parris Todd, with one gold and one bronze in 2025, are also top challengers. Meanwhile, Catherine Parenteau remains without a partner, with speculation growing about who she will team up with in Atlanta.
Mixed Doubles: Exciting Rivalries and Fresh Teams
In mixed doubles, the partnership of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters remains a key storyline. Despite a couple of losses this season, they are still among the top teams. However, there could be growing questions about their future together if they don’t perform in Atlanta. Other exciting teams include Tyra Black and James Ignatowich, who are looking to find their best form, and Jorja Johnson and JW Johnson, who have been strong performers this season with two gold medals.
What to Expect in Atlanta
The Atlanta event is expected to be full of thrilling matchups, as top players look to make their mark. For Waters and Johns, both face challenges in proving they are still the ones to beat. The shift in partnerships, particularly in women’s doubles, will also be a focal point. The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, with fresh faces and teams pushing the veterans for supremacy.
News in Brief: PPA Tour Atlanta Showdown
The 2025 PPA Tour Atlanta Pickleball Championships, set for May 15-17, will showcase top players like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. Both are looking to bounce back after tough losses this season. With exciting new team pairings and the opportunity for big ranking points, the tournament promises intense action.
ALSO READ: The Secret Behind Ben Johns’ Pickleball Dominance: Meet The Pickleball Doctor