PPA 2025 Men’s Rankings: Ben Johns Chased by Hayden Patriquin
What's the Score?
As the 2025 pickleball calendar officially closes, the PPA Tour has released its final men's player rankings, offering a definitive snapshot of the professional landscape. While Ben Johns remains the world’s No. 1 player, the latest analysis suggests his reign is more precarious than ever. Hayden Patriquin has surged to the No. 2 spot, signalling a changing of the guard, while veteran Andrei Daescu holds firm at No. 3. The rankings, which prioritise doubles play with a heavy weighting on gender doubles over mixed, reveal a top 10 populated by established stars and rising phenoms alike, setting the stage for a volatile 2026 season.
Hit it deeper!
The narrative of the 2025 rankings is defined by the narrowing gap between the top spot and the field. Ben Johns, long considered invincible, faced significant challenges throughout the year. Analysts note that he secured zero triple crowns in 2025 and narrowly avoided falling out of the top 10 in singles competition. His retention of the No. 1 ranking is largely attributed to a re-energised men’s doubles partnership with Gabe Tardio and the sheer dominance of his mixed doubles partnership with Anna Leigh Waters, who reportedly demands nothing short of perfection.
However, the spotlight is shifting toward Hayden Patriquin. Ranked No. 2, Patriquin is viewed by experts as possessing the "highest ceiling" in the sport. His move to the left side in men’s doubles has been a catalyst for his success, though inconsistency remains his primary hurdle. The consensus is that if Patriquin can stabilise his game, he is the most likely candidate to usurp Johns in 2026.
Rounding out the top tier is Andrei Daescu at No. 3, praised for his rare ability to go toe-to-toe with Johns in backhand dink rallies. Gabe Tardio follows at No. 4, with his ranking bolstered significantly by his mixed doubles prowess alongside Jessie Irvine. The top 10 also features a tie for No. 5 between Christian Alshon and JW Johnson, followed by Federico Staksrud at No. 7. Staksrud’s year was marked by impressive singles play but a "deferral" to Patriquin in doubles that ultimately proved to be the correct strategic move.
The rankings also highlight the sport's "most improved" and "most anticipated" talents. Eric Oncins cracked the list at No. 9 after a strong finish to the year, while Will Howells debuted at No. 10. Howells, who dominated the minor leagues and MLP, is now poised to test his mettle against the "big boys" full-time. Looking further down the list, 17-year-old Will MacKinnon appears at No. 20—a speculative placement based on his immense potential to be a future No. 1.
The World Pickleball Verdict
These final rankings for 2025 serve as more than just a scoreboard; they are a forecast of a regime change. For years, the question was "Who can beat Ben Johns?" Now, the question has shifted to "When will Ben Johns be overtaken?" The data suggests that the field has not only caught up but is beginning to dictate the terms of engagement.
The rise of Hayden Patriquin represents the evolution of the sport toward faster, more aggressive play, while the inclusion of players like Will Howells and Eric Oncins in the top 10 proves that the pipeline of talent from minor leagues to the pros is functioning efficiently. The pressure is now squarely on the established veterans. With Johns struggling in singles and relying on specific partnerships to maintain his doubles supremacy, 2026 looms as the year where the hierarchy of professional pickleball could be completely dismantled.