PPA Tour Dominance: In the rapidly growing world of professional pickleball, college tennis players are making their mark, with former NCAA athletes now dominating the PPA Tour rankings. Almost half of the 140+ players registered on the PPA Tour have college tennis experience. These athletes, once stars on the tennis court, have transitioned seamlessly into pickleball, with many now holding spots in the Top 10 rankings across both singles and doubles events.
Men’s Singles: Tennis Experience Prevails
The influence of college tennis is especially evident in the men’s singles rankings, where six of the Top 10 players come from a collegiate tennis background. PPA Tour No. 4 Tyson McGuffin is a notable example, having competed professionally on the ATP Tour before transitioning to pickleball. Similarly, Connor Garnett, ranked No. 3, honed his skills as a long-time hitting partner for tennis legend Novak Djokovic. The top-ranked Federico Staksrud, currently No. 1 on the PPA Tour, also boasts a storied tennis career, competing at several universities. Quang Duong, ranked No. 5 in men’s singles, brings his expertise from a successful career as a top-ranked ITF junior player.
Stronghold in Doubles: College Tennis Dominates
The dominance of former college tennis players extends beyond singles into doubles, where half of the Top 10 men’s doubles players and six of the Top 10 mixed doubles players on the PPA Tour are former collegiate tennis athletes. Staksrud, McGuffin, and Christian Alshon are exceptional in this category, ranking in all three Top 10 categories (men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles), showcasing the versatility of college tennis players as they adapt to multiple formats in professional pickleball.
Women’s Rankings: Tennis Transitions to Pickleball
In the women’s categories, Catherine Parenteau has made a significant impact, ranking in the Top 10 across all three categories, with a notable No. 1 ranking in women’s doubles alongside Anna Leigh Waters. Kaitlyn Christian and Lea Jansen are also ranked in the Top 5 of women’s singles, demonstrating the continued strength of collegiate tennis players in the sport.
New Pickleball Pros: ITF Tennis Players Turn Pro
The trend of former professional tennis players turning to pickleball continues to grow. Parris Todd and Tyra Black, both former ITF tennis players, switched to pickleball in 2023 and have already made an impact, with Todd ranked No. 7 in women’s singles and Black ranked No. 8 in women’s doubles.
Mixed Doubles: A Blend of College and Non-College Tennis
While many of the top mixed doubles players have collegiate tennis experience, there are also players like Vivienne David and Tina Pisnik, who didn’t play NCAA tennis but have contributed to the sport through their tennis backgrounds. David, alongside =, ranks in the Top 10 for mixed doubles. Pisnik, who coached the sport, also finds herself among the elite in mixed doubles, showcasing that tennis experience—whether from playing or coaching—plays a significant role in success on the pickleball court.
Key Stats
- Over 140 players are currently on the PPA Tour roster, with 68 having played college tennis.
- Out of those 68 former collegiate tennis players, 23 occupy spots in the Top 10 rankings across all categories.
News in Brief: PPA Tour Dominance
The PPA Tour continues to be dominated by former college tennis players, who make up nearly half of the roster. With 68 college tennis athletes now competing at the professional pickleball level, 23 have made it into the Top 10 rankings across men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Notable names include Tyson McGuffin, Connor Garnett, and Catherine Parenteau, all of whom have made successful transitions from NCAA tennis to pickleball.
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