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Pickleball’s popularity and widespread has resulted in the creation of phenomenal players. These players have not only won a couple of games but with their consistency or winning streak set an example for other players.
We are talking about men and women who have displayed expert sportsmanship and skill to win the major tournaments. To finalize the top and the best we have considered the winners of the Big Three pickleball tournaments in the US.
We have selected the top 5 players in each bracket and ranked them according to the medals they won. However, determining the best pickleball players objectively is not an exact science. Though players have a USAPA-skill rating, the precise 4-point rating isn’t publicly available.
The ratings can be a great way to judge the skill level but might not be useful to determine the best player. We have come up with a ranking system that considers the past record of a player combines them with a point system for precise ranking.
Method:
For information, we considered the 2019 results from the ‘Big Three’ pickleball tournaments in the US:
- Minto US Open Pickleball Championships
- Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships
- Tournament of Champions
Our entire focus was on the open/pro brackets in each tournament as they have the toughest competitors and huge cash prize.
While most players who participate in the age-restricted tournaments also participate in the open tournament against the players who do not. We decided to leave the age-restricted wins out of the comparison.
Weighting medals:
Instead of just counting the number of medals that a player has won in the pro/open bracket. We decided to follow this point system.
- 1st Place: 3 points
- 2nd Place: 2 points
- 3rd Place: 1 point
- 4th Place and below: 0 points
Categories:
We categorized the field into four different categories:
- Men’s
- Women’s
- Senior Men’s
- Senior Women’s
These categories line up the way tournaments are organized and avoid ranking players that play in the same category.
Best Men Pickleball Players:
1. Ben Johns – 20 Points
Image Credit: USAPA
Ben Johns is young 20 years old and has derived his knack from the game of tennis that he started playing at the age of 8.
He has participated in numerous events in the last year and won gold in several of them which has made him the first pickleball player to be endorsed by Franklin Sports.
2019 US Open
Gold- Men’s Doubles (Open) with Kyle Yates
Silver- Men’s Singles (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals
Gold- Men’s Doubles (Pro) with Kyle Yates
Gold- Men’s Singles (Pro)
2019 Tournament of Champions
Gold- Men’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Kyle Yates
Gold- Mixed Doubles(Open Pro) with Jessie Irvine
Gold- Men’s Single (Open Pro)
2. Kyle Yates – 18 Points
Image Credit: USAPA
Winning his first pickleball gold medal at the age of 19, Kyle Yates is one of a kind player in the world of pickleball. He has won multiple titles in the game has also partnered with Ben Johns in 2019 to win other titles in the Men’s Double category.
2019 US Open
Gold- Men’s Double (Open) with Ben Johns
Gold- Mixed Double (Open) with Simone Jardim
2019 USAPA Nationals
Gold- Men’s Doubles (Pro) with Ben Johns
Gold- Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Simone Jardim
2019 Tournament of Champions
Gold- Men’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Ben Johns
Silver- Mixed Doubles (Open Pro) with Simone Jardim
Bronze- Men’s Single (Open Pro)
3. Tyson McGuffin – 8 points
Image Credit: Selkirk
Tyson McGuffin is one of the most recognized players in the world of pickleball. Coming from a family of athletes, he has been associated with sports from a very young age. Tyson’s fast-paced success has also found him the sponsorship from Selkirk sports.
2019 US Open
Gold- Men’s Singles (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals
Silver- Men’s Singles (Pro)
2019Tournament of Champions
Silver- Men’s Singles (Open Pro)
Bronze- Mixed Doubles (Open Pro) with Andrea Koop
4. Matt Wright – 7 points
Image Credit: USAPA
Matt Wright is an accomplished pickleball player and has many wins to his name. He was a proficient tennis player for the Big Ten Wolverine, playing all four years at the University of Michigan.
2019 US Open
Silver- Men’s Double (Open) with Dave Weinbach
Silver- Mixed Doubles (Open) with Lucy Kovalova
2019 USAPA Nationals
Bronze- Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Lucy Kovalova
2019 Tournament of Champions
Silver- Men’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Daniel Moore
5. Steve Deakin – 4 points
Image Credit: Selkirk
Steve Deakin is a former tennis player and among the 2019 pickleballs champion who has won numerous titles at the various events.He realized his pickleball prowess at the Indian Wells Nationals wherehe later bagged a silver medal with his partner Tim MacVinne being sponsored by Selkirk.
2019 US Open
Bronze- Men’s Doubles (Open) with Randel Zbinden
2019 USAPA Nationals
Silver- Men’s Doubles (Pro) with Erik Lange
2019 Tournament of Champions
Bronze- Men’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Erik Lange
Best Women Pickleball Player:
1. Simone Jardim – 18 points
Image Credit: USAPA
Simone Jardim is among the most recognized and elite players of the pickleball. Her prowess in pickleball can be attributed to her previous experience in tennis. She is one of the most decorated pickleball players with 90 medals with 70 of them being gold.
2019 US Open:
Silver- Women’s Doubles (Open) with Corrine Carr
Gold- Mixed Doubles (Open) with Kyle Yates
Gold- Women’s Single (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals
Bronze- Women’s Doubles (Pro) with Corrine Carr
Gold- Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Kyle Yates
Gold- Women’s Singles (Pro)
2019 Tournament of Champions
Silver-Mixed Doubles (Open Pro) with Kyle Yates
Bronze- Women’s Singles (Open Pro)
2. Lucy Kovalova – 13 points
Image Credit: usapickleballnationalchampionships
Lucy Kovalova transitioned from tennis to paddle tennis and pickleball. Within two years she has amassed great success while being a tennis coach at a country club. She plays with her signature bat Elite pro ‘Kovalova’.
2019 US Open:
Gold- Women’s Doubles (Open) with Irina Tereschenko
Silver- Mixed Doubles (Open) with Matt Wright
Bronze- Women’s Single (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Bronze- Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Matt Wright
Silver- Women’s Single (Pro)
2019 Tournament of Champions:
Bronze- Women’s Double (Open Pro) with Andrea Koop
Gold- Women’s Singles (Open Pro)
3. Anna Leigh Waters – 8 points
Image Credit: USAPA
Anna Leigh Waters is a phenomenal young talent in the world of pickleball. She has been winning medals from the time she debuted in the championship. Anna has also partnered with Kyle Yates to win the Mixed Doubles.
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Gold- Women’s Doubles (Pro) with Leigh Waters
2019 Tournament of Champions:
Gold- Women’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Leigh Waters
Silver- Women’s Single (Open Pro)
4. Jessie Irvine – 7 points
Image Credit: usapickleballnationalchampionships
Jessie Irwin started playing pickleball just recently and has already made a name for her in the game. She has also partnered with Ben Johns in mixed doubles to bag a gold medal.
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Silver- Women’s Doubles (Pro) with Catherine Parenteau
2019 Tournament of Champions:
Silver- Women’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Lindsey Newman
Gold- Mixed Doubles (Open Pro) with Ben Johns
5. Lindsey Newman – 5 points
Image credit: Selkirk
Lindsey Newman had been familiar with tennis but when she was introduced to pickleball by her friend. She later pursued her love which has helped her win numerous titles. She prefers playing with Selkirk Armed Epic.
2019 US Open:
Bronze- Mixed Doubles (Open) with Riley Newman
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Silver- Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Riley Newman
2019 Tournament of Champions:
Silver- Women’s Double (Open Pro) with Jessie Irvine
Best Senior Men Pickleball Players:
1. Scott Moore – 15 points
Image Credit: USAPA
Scott Moore has been widely regarded as the #1 male senior player in the world. He is one of the few players in pickleball players to win Triple Crown six-times. Moore was an outstanding junior tennis player but was introduced to pickleball through a casual game.
2019 US Open:
Gold- Senior Mixed Doubles (Open) with Kris Anderson
Gold-Senior Men’s Singles (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Silver- Senior Men’s Doubles (Pro) with Steve Cole
Bronze- Senior Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Lisa Naumu
Silver- Senior Men’s Singles (Pro)
2019 Tournament of Champions:
Silver-Senior Men’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Lisa Naumu
Silver- Senior Men’s Singles (Open Pro)
2. Dave Weinbach – 12 points
Image credit: USAPA
Dave Weinbach is an accomplished pickleball player and ambassador with 148 medals. He grew up playing table tennis which made pickleball much easier for him. Dave is a 10-time US Open Champion, nine-time USAPA Nationals Champion, and winner of a remarkable 112 gold medals in official competition.
2019 US Open:
Silver-Senior Men’s Double (Open) with Matt Wright
Gold-Senior Men’s Double (Open) with Barry Waddell
Bronze-Senior Men’s Singles (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Gold- Senior Men’s Double (Pro) with Brian Poynter
Gold- Senior Mixed Double (Pro) with Kris Anderson
3. Paul Olin – 10 points
Image credit: usapickleballnationalchampionships
Former US Navy official, Paul Olin is an amazing pickleball player with incredible skills. In a short span of time, he has won numerous medals and holds various titles to his name. He used to play tennis during his college days.
2019 US Open:
Silver- Senior Men’s Singles (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Silver- Senior Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Cammy MacGregor
Gold- Senior Men’s Singles (Pro)
2019Tournament of Champions:
Gold- Senior Men’s Singles (Open Pro)
4. Brian Staub – 7 points
Image credit: usapickleballnationalchampionships
Brian Staub is an experienced pickleball player with great wins. He was introduced to pickleball when he relocated to Florida. Unlike other elite players, Staub does not have any connection to tennis or ping pong.
2019 US Open:
Silver- Senior Doubles (Open) with Scott Burr
Silver- Senior Mixed Doubles (Open) with Cammy MacGregor
2019Tournament of Champions:
Gold- Senior Doubles (Open Pro) with Kevin booth
5. Mills Miller – 4 points
Image credit: pickleballcentral
Chris ‘Mills’ Miler is among the few players who has a long list of wins and achievements. He started playing pickleball in college and later got serious when it came to winning titles. He prefers playing with Paddletek Bantam TS-5.
2019 US Open:
Bronze- Senior Men’s Double (Open) with Steve Dawson
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Bronze- Senior Men’s Double (Pro) with Steve Dawson
Bronze- Senior Men’s Single (Pro)
2019Tournament of Champions:
Bronze- Senior Mixed Doubles (Open Pro) with Jennifer Dawson
Best Women’s Senior Pickleball Players:
1. Cammy MacGregor – 19 points
Image credit: Selkirk
Cammy MacGregor is a renowned name in both tennis and pickleball. She has been ranked at #75 in the world in tennis. When it comes to pickleball, she holds innumerable titles to her name.
2019 US Open:
Gold- Senior Women’s Doubles (Open) with Jennifer Dawson
Silver-Senior Mixed Doubles (Open) with Brian Staub
Silver- Senior Women’s Singles (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Bronze- Senior Women’s Doubles (Pro) with Jennifer Dawson
Silver- Senior Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Paul Olin
Gold- Senior Women’s Singles (Pro)
2019 Tournament of Champions:
Gold- Senior Women’s Double (Open pro) with Jennifer Dawson
Gold-Senior Women’s Single (Open Pro)
2. Kris Anderson – 17 points
Image credit: USAPA
Kris Anderson is an expert pickleball player with a great skillset. She was an amazing tennis player but one of her matches got canceled due to the rains and that’s when she was introduced to pickleball.
2019 US Open:
Silver- Senior Women’s Doubles (Open) with Lisa Naumu
Gold- Senior Mixed Doubles (Open) with Scott Moore
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Gold- Senior Women’s Doubles (Pro) with Lisa Naumu
Gold- Senior Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Dave Weinbach
2019 Tournament of Champions:
Silver- Senior Women’s Double (Open Pro) with Lisa Naumu
Gold- Senior Mixed Doubles (Open Pro) with Kevin Booth
3. Jennifer Dawson – 14 points
Image credit: USAPA
Jennifer Dawson is a successful tennis and pickleball player. She was introduced to pickleball when the sport came to a tennis club she owns. Her tennis prowess has helped her win many medals within a short period of time.
2019 US Open:
Gold- Senior Women’s Doubles (Open) with Cammy MacGregor
Gold- Senior Women’s Singles (Open)
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Bronze- Senior Women’s Doubles (Pro) with Cammy MacGregor
2019Tournament of Champions:
Gold- Senior Women’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Cammy MacGregor
Bronze- Senior Mixed Doubles (Open Pro) with Mills Miller
Silver- Senior Women’s Singles (Open Pro)
4. Lisa Naumu – 12 points
Image credit: Lisa Naumu
Lisa Naumu is a former tennis pro who decided to try pickleball and has never looked back since. Her tennis skills have helped her climb the ladder of success much faster. Lisa prefers to play with Engage Encore Pro in tournaments and practices.
2019 US Open:
Silver- Senior Women’s Doubles (Open) with Kris Anderson
Bronze- Senior Mixed Doubles (Open) with Steve Kennedy
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Gold- Senior Women’s Doubles (Pro) with Kris Anderson
Bronze- Senior Mixed Doubles (Pro) with Scott Moore
2019Tournament of Champions:
Silver- Senior Women’s Double (Open Pro) with Kris Anderson
Silver- Senior Mixed Doubles (Open Pro) with Scott Moore
5. Bonnie Williams – 5 points
Image credit: onixpickleball
Bonnie Williams is a true pickleball lover and was introduced to the game while recovering from an ACL tennis injury. She has won many titles in her pickleball career. Bonnie prefers playing with the Engage Encore Pro for tournaments and practices.
2019 US Open:
Bronze- Senior Women’s Doubles (Open) with Christine Barksdale
2019 USAPA Nationals:
Silver-Senior Women’s Doubles (Pro) with Christine Barksdale
2019 Tournament of Champions:
Bronze- Senior Women’s Doubles (Open Pro) with Christine Barksdale
Bronze- Senior Women Singles (Open Pro)
Conclusion:
These are the top players who will be going into 2020. It will be great to see them perform and compete against each other.
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