Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns Dominate Atlanta: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns started the Carvana Championship Sunday in the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships with a powerful win over Etta Tuionetoa and Christian Alshon. The top-seeded team won the mixed doubles final in straight games, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7, on Humana Championship Court. This dominant performance gave them the gold medal.
Waters and Johns quickly took control by scoring nine points on their match’s first serve. That early run made it clear they were ready to bounce back after losing their last final at the 2025 Veolia North Carolina Open.
Strong Start Sets the Tone
The match began with Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns scoring nine unanswered points in their first service turn. This fast start helped them take the first two games with ease.
In the third game, Etta Tuionetoa and Christian Alshon switched sides. Tuionetoa moved to the left, where she usually shines in women’s doubles, and Alshon moved to the right, his strong side in men’s doubles. Even with the change, Waters and Johns still won the third game and secured the win.
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A Comeback After Last Month’s Loss
The win was especially important for the pair after their recent loss in North Carolina. Anna Leigh Waters explained what motivated them coming into Atlanta.
“I feel like we were really just gunning for this one, not to show people anything, but more for ourselves. To remind ourselves that we can do better than we did at the last tournament.” – (anna)
They did exactly that. Waters and Johns did not lose a single game throughout their six matches this week.
Record-Breaking Gold for Johns
Ben Johns’ gold medal adds to a long streak. He has now won at least one gold in 39 straight PPA Tour events. This breaks the previous record of 38, held by Anna Leigh Waters from 2021 to 2024. Johns said the achievement feels normal for him.
“Outside of the numbers or titles or anything, it just feels great to get on the court and play well. I can’t say it means anything extraordinary, but I’m just super happy with the way we’ve been playing, and hopefully we can continue that through the day and the next tournaments.” – (johns)
More Matches Still Ahead
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns are trying to win a Triple Crown at this tournament. That means each will play two more matches later in the day. Their strong showing in mixed doubles sets the stage for more possible titles.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns Dominate Atlanta
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns won gold in mixed doubles at the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships, beating Etta Tuionetoa and Christian Alshon 11-3, 11-2, 11-7. This marks Johns’ 39th straight PPA gold. The top seeds didn’t lose a game all week and are still in the running for a Triple Crown.