The 2024 PPA Tour season recap saw exceptional talent across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, with players pushing the limits of skill and strategy. From thrilling rallies to record-breaking victories, this year showed the very best of the sport, with notable players such as Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Federico Staksrud leading the charge.
Triple Threats Dominate Across All Disciplines
The 2024 season highlighted some of the sport’s top performers, with a select group of players finishing the year ranked in the top ten in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. These “Triple Threats” proved their versatility and skill by excelling in multiple disciplines.
Ben Johns, Catherine Parenteau, Federico Staksrud, and Anna Leigh Waters stood out for their consistent dominance. Waters, in particular, had an outstanding year, solidifying her place as one of the sport’s brightest stars. Meanwhile, Ben Johns continued to reign supreme in mixed doubles and men’s doubles, while Staksrud showed his well-rounded abilities in singles and doubles.
2024 Title Winners Across All Events
In a season where versatility was key, some players took their success even further by winning titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Dylan Frazier, Ben Johns, and Anna Leigh Waters each managed to secure victories in all three formats. Their ability to adapt to different types of competition showed the depth of their skills and their place at the top of the sport.
The Gold Rush: Record-Breaking Medalists
The 2024 season was also defined by several players achieving remarkable success, with Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns leading the charge in gold medals. Waters finished the year with a total of 42 gold medals across all disciplines, including 12 in singles, 14 in doubles, and 16 in mixed doubles. Ben Johns wasn’t far behind, securing 32 golds across the three formats, with 18 coming in mixed doubles.
Other players like Catherine Parenteau and Federico Staksrud also had standout seasons, with Parenteau securing 14 gold medals in women’s doubles and Staksrud earning 13 golds, 12 silvers, and 11 bronzes. Staksrud, nicknamed “Señor Domingo” (Mr. Sunday), had an incredible year, winning medals in all 23 tournaments he entered, making him one of the most consistent players of 2024.
Memorable Moments in 2024 Pickleball
The 2024 season was filled with memorable moments that fans and players won’t soon forget. In one of the most intense moments of the year, a mixed doubles final at the Masters saw Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns overcome a significant setback after being pickled in game three. Despite the tough start, they came back to win the match in four games, showing resilience and skill under pressure.
The 2024 season also featured the longest rally in a men’s doubles final, which took place at the Los Angeles Open. Ben and Collin Johns battled Tyson McGuffin and Jaume Martinez Vich in a remarkable 85-shot rally. The Johns brothers won the rally and the match, showing their endurance and precision.
Clean Winners and Tactical Brilliance
In precision, several players stood out for their clean winners, shots that were executed without hitting the net or the opponent’s paddle.
Ben Johns led the charge with 25 clean winners in the Men’s Doubles final at the Masters, followed by Lea Jansen, who had 24 clean winners in the Red Rock Open Women’s Singles. These players showed technical mastery and consistency, setting the bar for excellence in 2024.
Fundamentals and High-Level Play
Throughout the season, players demonstrated exceptional fundamentals, particularly in doubles, where clean shots and strategic play were key. Anna Leigh Waters, Collin Johns, Federico Staksrud, and Anna Bright were all praised for their near-perfect play in doubles finals.
For example, Waters did not hit a single ball “out” during the Mixed Doubles final at the North Carolina Cup, displaying a remarkable level of consistency and skill.
Looking to the Future of Pickleball
The 2024 season marked another milestone in the rapid growth of pickleball. With new champions emerging and players continuing to raise the bar, the sport is assured to reach even greater heights in the coming years. Fans can expect more thrilling matches, record-breaking performances, and inspiring displays of sportsmanship as the next generation of stars takes to the courts.
News in Brief: 2024 PPA Tour Season Recap
The 2024 pickleball season showed the sport’s brightest stars, with Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and Federico Staksrud dominating in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Waters led with 42 gold medals, while Johns secured 32. The season was marked by thrilling moments like the longest rally in men’s doubles and remarkable comebacks. With a growing pool of talent, the future of pickleball looks set for even greater heights.
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