Who is the best pickleball player in the world? It is one of the biggest questions in the sport, and for good reason. Pickleball is growing rapidly, professional competition is becoming tougher, and a new generation of talented players is raising the standard every season.
Some players dominate with incredible power, others win through smart positioning, lightning-fast hands, and exceptional control. But when it comes to overall dominance, two names stand out: Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters.
Ben Johns has built a reputation as one of the greatest men’s players in pickleball history, while Anna Leigh Waters has become one of the most dominant female players the sport has ever seen.
So, who deserves the title of the best pickleball player in the world in 2026? Let’s look at the leading players, their strengths, achievements, playing styles, and what makes them special.
Who Is the Best Pickleball Player in the World in 2026?
According to the current Carvana PPA Tour World Pickleball Rankings, the leading players are:
| Category | No. 1 player |
|---|---|
| Best-ranked women’s player | Anna Leigh Waters |
| Best-ranked men’s player | Ben Johns |
| Leading women’s doubles contender | Anna Leigh Waters |
| Leading men’s doubles contender | Ben Johns |
The latest official leaderboard lists Anna Leigh Waters with 22,160 points and Ben Johns with 18,060 points. These are separate men’s and women’s rankings, not a combined ranking. Carvana PPA Tour+1
Anna Leigh Waters – The World’s Leading Female Pickleball Player
If there is one player who represents the modern dominance of professional pickleball, Anna Leigh Waters is a strong choice.
She has achieved remarkable success in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Her ability to compete at an elite level across all three disciplines makes her particularly impressive.
What makes her special?
- Exceptional speed and court coverage.
- Powerful serves and attacking shots.
- Excellent reaction time at the kitchen line.
- Smart shot selection and tactical awareness.
- Confidence in high-pressure situations.
Her consistency is just as impressive as her power. She does not depend on one winning shot; she combines several skills to keep opponents under pressure.
The PPA Tour’s 2026 leaderboard places her first among women, with 22,160 points. She also leads its all-time PPA title count with 196 titles. Carvana PPA Tour+1
Ben Johns – The King of Men’s Pickleball
When discussing the greatest male pickleball players, Ben Johns is a name that cannot be ignored.
He is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished players in the sport’s history. His success across men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles has made him a benchmark for professional pickleball.
Unlike players who depend mainly on power, Ben combines patience, precision, athleticism, and tactical intelligence.
His biggest strengths include:
- Incredible control over the ball.
- Excellent defensive positioning.
- Smart third-shot drops and resets.
- Fast hands during kitchen-line exchanges.
- Ability to identify and exploit opponents’ weaknesses.
His calm playing style is another major advantage. Even when facing aggressive opponents, he rarely looks rushed.
As of the latest PPA leaderboard, Ben Johns holds the No. 1 men’s world ranking with 18,060 points. His official PPA profile lists 189 career titles. Carvana PPA Tour+1
Anna Bright – One of the Most Dangerous Female Competitors
Anna Bright has established herself as one of the strongest competitors in women’s professional pickleball.
She is known for aggressive play, quick reactions, and an attacking approach that can put opponents under immediate pressure.
Her doubles performance is particularly impressive. She combines strong positioning with powerful shots and excellent teamwork.
In the latest PPA women’s rankings, she sits second with 17,697.5 points. Carvana PPA Tour+1
Federico Staksrud – A Powerful Men’s Singles Competitor
Federico Staksrud is one of the most exciting men’s pickleball players to watch.
His aggressive playing style, athletic movement, and strong groundstrokes make him a difficult opponent. He is particularly dangerous in singles, where speed, endurance, and shot placement can determine the outcome of a match.
He has also collected numerous professional titles and remains a major contender on the PPA Tour.
Hayden Patriquin – A Rising Star in Professional Pickleball
Hayden Patriquin represents the new generation of professional pickleball talent.
His energetic playing style, athletic ability, and aggressive approach have helped him become one of the top-ranked men’s players.
He currently holds the No. 2 men’s position in the official PPA World Pickleball Rankings, with 14,450 points. Carvana PPA Tour+1
Top Pickleball Players in the World (2026)
Here is a quick look at the leading professionals according to the latest official PPA Tour rankings.
| Rank | Men’s players | Women’s players |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Johns | Anna Leigh Waters |
| 2 | Hayden Patriquin | Anna Bright |
| 3 | Gabriel Tardio | Hurricane Tyra Black |
| 4 | Federico Staksrud | Jorja Johnson |
| 5 | Christian Alshon | Catherine Parenteau |
| 6 | JW Johnson | Parris Todd |
| 7 | Andrei Daescu | Rachel Rohrabacher |
| 8 | Tama Shimabukuro | Kate Fahey |
| 9 | CJ Klinger | Tina Pisnik |
| 10 | Eric Oncins | Kaitlyn Christian |
Source: Carvana PPA Tour World Pickleball Rankings, accessed November 7, 2026. Rankings can change as new tournament results are recorded. Carvana PPA Tour+1
How Are the Best Pickleball Players Ranked?
Not every ranking system measures players in the same way. Some focus on singles performance, while others consider doubles and mixed doubles as well.
The Carvana PPA Tour uses its World Pickleball Ranking (WPR) to measure overall professional performance.
Its ranking system uses results from the previous 52 weeks, with the following weighting:
PPA World Ranking Points
Men’s or women’s doubles
50%
Mixed doubles
35%
Singles
15%
Official PPA Tour ranking methodology. Carvana PPA Tour+1
This explains why a player who performs exceptionally well in doubles can rank higher overall than someone who specializes in singles.
If you want to compare singles specialists, you should look at singles-specific results rather than relying only on the overall WPR ranking.
What Makes Someone the Best Pickleball Player?
Being the best pickleball player requires much more than hitting the ball hard. Professional players need a combination of physical ability, technical skills, and mental strength.
Here are five qualities that separate elite players from average competitors.
Excellent Ball Control
The best players know exactly where to place the ball. They use soft shots, dinks, drops, and resets to control rallies and force opponents into difficult positions.
Fast Reaction Time
At the kitchen line, rallies can change in a fraction of a second. Quick reactions help players defend against powerful attacks and create opportunities to counterattack.
Smart Game Strategy
Great players understand when to attack, when to defend, and when to slow down the game. They study their opponents and adjust their strategy throughout a match.
Physical Fitness
Professional pickleball requires speed, balance, stamina, coordination, and agility. Players must stay physically prepared to compete through long rallies and demanding tournaments.
Mental Toughness
Even the best players make mistakes. What separates champions is their ability to stay focused, recover from difficult points, and perform under pressure.
Who Is the Greatest Pickleball Player of All Time?
This is a different question from asking who is currently ranked number one.
For men’s pickleball, Ben Johns has a particularly strong claim to the greatest-of-all-time title because of his sustained dominance across multiple professional disciplines.
For women’s pickleball, Anna Leigh Waters has built an extraordinary record through her tournament victories, consistency, and success across singles and doubles.
Both players have helped transform professional pickleball into a more competitive and widely followed sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best pickleball player in the world in 2026?
Anna Leigh Waters is the No. 1-ranked women’s player, while Ben Johns is the No. 1-ranked men’s player according to the latest PPA World Pickleball Rankings.
Who is the best male pickleball player?
Ben Johns is currently the No. 1 men’s player in the PPA World Pickleball Rankings. He is also considered one of the greatest players in pickleball history.
Who is the best female pickleball player?
Anna Leigh Waters is currently the No. 1 women’s player. Her success in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles makes her one of the sport’s most dominant athletes.
Is Ben Johns better than Anna Leigh Waters?
They compete in separate men’s and women’s divisions, so there is no straightforward official ranking that declares one better than the other. Both are exceptional champions in their respective divisions.
Who is the youngest top pickleball player?
There are several young professionals competing at the highest level. Anna Leigh Waters is one of the most successful young stars, while Hayden Patriquin is among the leading young men’s players.
What country has the best pickleball players?
The United States has produced many of the sport’s leading professional players, including Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. However, international talent is growing, with players from countries such as Argentina and Bolivia also competing at the highest level.
Final Verdict
So, who deserves the title of the best pickleball player in the world in 2026?
Anna Leigh Waters is the leading female player, and Ben Johns is the leading male player according to the official PPA World Pickleball Rankings.
If we are talking about overall dominance, Anna Leigh Waters has an especially impressive case, with the highest points total among the two current No. 1 players and an outstanding record of professional titles.
However, Ben Johns remains one of the most accomplished players the sport has ever seen.
Ultimately, both athletes represent the highest level of modern pickleball. Whether you enjoy powerful singles rallies, intelligent doubles strategies, or exciting kitchen-line exchanges, watching these professionals compete is one of the best ways to understand what makes pickleball such an incredible sport.
Theo Bennett is a passionate sports writer and storyteller at SportNestify.com covering cricket, football, hockey, tennis, basketball and more. With a focus on clear insights, engaging analysis, player stories, and the latest sporting trends, Leo turns every game into a story worth following. His goal is simple