Stats-Wrap: Post Finals in Desert Ridge

***STATS BREAKDOWN*** PPA Desert Ridge Open, Phoenix, Arizona, February 5, 2023. OVERALL TAKEAWAYS: Singles: More clean winners and fewer errors on serves, returns, and thirds is a winning combination. Men’s Doubles: the Johns brothers have a plan against Newman and...

Waters and Johns Triple Up Again at Second Event of the Year

Another triple crown for Ben Johns. That’s 13 in his career. Another one for Anna Leigh Waters, too. That’s nine in the past two seasons. The two dominated the field at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Open in Phoenix, Ariz., and it would be difficult to say the results...

Stats-Wrap: Championship Sunday in Desert Ridge

Spotlight Stat: Anna Leigh Waters is going for a “golden triple crown,” three titles without losing a game in the tournament. === MEN’S SINGLES === Ben Johns has won three straight events, and five out of seven. Johns is 4-0 here, 9 games, (lost one game to Julian...

Contrast of Styles Sets up for a Fun Championship Sunday

Riley Newman and Matt Wright have a certain style.  Anyone who watches pickleball knows what it is – relentless attack, fast-paced, and as Newman says, “Bombs away.” Collin and Ben Johns have a certain style, too. Anyone who watches pickleball knows what it is –...

Top Teams Clean House on Friday in Phoenix

All of the top eight mixed doubles teams advanced to the quarterfinals, and all of the top four teams advanced to the semis. You’ll rarely see an upset-free day of pickleball like this one. There was also plenty of excitement from start to finish on Friday, and a...

Familiar Looks for Singles Day in Desert Ridge

The second stop of the 2023 PPA Tour takes place at the gorgeous JW Marriott Desert Ridge resort in Phoenix, Arizona. Singles day was buzzing with plenty of excitement, some upsets, and insane pickleball. Fifty men battled it out in the qualifier draw for the precious...