Hunter Johnson Pickleball Men’s Singles Victory: Hunter Johnson made a bold claim for the top spot in men’s singles by defeating Federico Staksrud 11-5, 11-2 in the final of the Select Medical Orange County Cup. The event, held in San Clemente, added fuel to the ongoing debate about who is the world’s best.
Battle for the Top Spot
In 2025, the #1 position in men’s singles has been uncertain. Unlike women’s and mixed doubles, no one player has clearly held the top title. Several names—including Ben Johns, Federico Staksrud, and Hunter Johnson—have all been in the running.
The final match in San Clemente between Hunter Johnson and Federico Staksrud brought two top contenders face to face. Fans were excited to see a close contest, but it ended up being one-sided.
Johnson Controls the Match
Hunter Johnson reached the final with a strong performance through the draw. Although no path is ever easy in men’s singles, he had a slightly more favorable set of matches before facing Federico Staksrud.
In the final, Hunter Johnson played with confidence and control. He won quickly, taking the match in straight games: 11-5 and 11-2.
This strong result helped Johnson prove he belongs at the top of the rankings.
Season Far From Over
The victory in San Clemente gave Hunter Johnson a big boost in the race for #1. One prediction earlier in the season said, “Last December, I had predicted Johnson would end 2025 as the #1 singles player in the world. He certainly staked a big claim to it in San Clemente.”
However, with half the year remaining, other top players like Federico Staksrud and Ben Johns still have time to challenge him for the title.
The competition will continue across the upcoming tournaments, and the fight for the top spot in men’s singles is far from settled.
News in Brief: Hunter Johnson Pickleball Men’s Singles Victory
Hunter Johnson defeated Federico Staksrud 11-5, 11-2 in the men’s singles final at the Select Medical Orange County Cup. His strong win moved him closer to claiming the top singles spot in the world, but with players like Ben Johns still in the mix, the title remains up for grabs.