By CHRIS BEAUMONT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PIC: Hunter Johnson competing on Championship Sunday at Life Time Lakeville courtesy of the PPA Tour
A Record-Breaking Start in Palm Springs
The 2026 season opened with a roar at the Carvana PPA Masters in Palm Springs, proving that the sport’s meteoric rise is far from over. The event set a new benchmark for popularity, with the CBS broadcast of Championship Sunday becoming the most-watched pickleball event in history. Averaging 791,000 viewers and peaking at over 1 million, the broadcast outperformed major simultaneous sporting events, including Big 12 basketball and Premier League soccer.
On the court, Anna Leigh Waters continued her reign. Fresh off signing a landmark apparel deal with Nike and debuting a new Franklin paddle, the 18-year-old secured her 40th career Triple Crown. She displayed a new tactical wrinkle—a high-looping lob serve—which she utilised effectively throughout the week to disrupt opponents’ rhythm. Waters capped the weekend with a five-game thriller in mixed doubles alongside Ben Johns, rallying from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin.
The Masters also marked a turning point for Jack Sock. The former tennis star achieved a personal milestone by reaching the quarterfinals in all three events—singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles—for the first time. Sock battled his way to the men’s singles final, ultimately taking silver after falling to Chris Haworth, who dominated the field without dropping a game.
Minnesota Madness: The “Instant Classic”
Following the desert heat, the tour moved north for the Pickleball Central Indoor National Championships in Lakeville, Minnesota. Despite the freezing temperatures outside, the action inside Life Time Lakeville produced what is already being hailed as a match of the year contender.
In the men’s doubles final, top seeds Andrei Daescu and Gabe Tardio faced off against Hayden Patriquin and Christian Alshon. After falling into a 2-8 hole in the deciding fifth game, Daescu and Tardio staged a furious comeback, executing a 10-2 run to claim the title 12-10 in the fifth. The victory was significant for the 20-year-old Tardio, who overtook Ben Johns for the number one spot in the PPA Tour men’s doubles rankings.
Parris Todd’s Golden Return and Shock Announcement
Minnesota also saw the return of Parris Todd following a suspension. With Anna Leigh Waters sitting out the singles draw, Todd seized the moment, defeating Lea Jansen 11-5, 11-5 to win her fourth career PPA singles title.
However, the celebration came with a bittersweet revelation. In her post-match interview, Todd announced she would be stepping away from singles competition for the “foreseeable future” to focus entirely on doubles.
In other singles action, Hunter Johnson halted Chris Haworth’s hot streak. Although Haworth entered the final as the favourite, Johnson dominated the gold medal match 11-6, 11-0, proving that the battle for the men’s singles number one spot will be a season-long war.
The Youth Movement and Innovation
The start of 2026 has highlighted a surge of young talent. At the Tucson PPA Challenger, 15-year-old Tama Shimabukuro medaled in all three events he entered, taking gold in men’s doubles and silver in singles. Meanwhile, at the Masters, 17-year-old Kiora Kunimoto pushed veteran Brooke Buckner to three games, signalling her arrival as a serious threat.
Innovation is also on the horizon. The PPA Challenger Series announced it will test narrower singles courts—reduced from 20 feet to 17 feet—at upcoming events in Houston, Florida, California, and Alabama. The goal is to extend rallies and enhance the spectator experience.
Courtside Style: The Best Dressed
The new season brought fresh fashion trends to the court. In Minnesota, Nicole Conard turned heads with a streetwear-inspired sheer black top with a star pattern. Hayden Patriquin showcased an effortless “electric blue” look accessorised with a diamond tennis necklace.
Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright coordinated in turquoise and blue ensembles to match Waters’ new Nike partnership, while Anna Leigh also debuted custom nails featuring her logo and a Triple Crown symbol.
As the tour heads to the sunny coast of Florida for the Veolia Cape Coral Open in February, the 2026 season is already shaping up to be the most competitive—and stylish—in history.
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