Pro Pickleball Predictions: 2024 Forecasts vs Reality (+ 2026 Outlook)

(picture Nick Uzunyan)

Updated February 2026 - These were my 2024 predictions written in December 2023. Scroll down to see how they played out and my fresh 2026 predictions.

My 2024 Predictions (Written December 2023)

Women's Singles

While the mere appearance on court of Anna Leigh Waters means peak performance and season-long thrills, I'll also be watching with pleasure and anticipation Jorja Johnson's rise in singles and her grind toward Championship Sunday. I expect ALW and Catherine Parenteau to continue their dominance, with Jorja alongside them as a top contender. Other players to watch: Lacey Schneemann, Yana Newell, Judit Castillo.

Men's Singles

James Johnson, Christian Alshon, Connor Garnett, and Federico Staksrud are going to carry on their pursuit of Gold. And though I have no doubt that Ben Johns will hold his position, the before-mentioned players are in top form, ready for another big match. And we all know the name Thomas Wilson. Having him in singles would intensify the competition. More players to keep an eye on: Travis Rettenmaier, Tyson McGuffin, Jay Devilliers.

Women's Doubles

Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau have tough teams chasing. If the Kawamoto twins are among them in 2024, look out! The sisters have the potential to gain ground in this category and I look forward to watching the shootouts. The Brascia sisters too have a complete game, as do Callie Joe Smith and Lucy Kovalova. Either team could give the undefeated Waters/Parenteau a struggle. Another team that could make some headway is Lacy Schneemann and Jesse Irvine.

Men's Doubles

The Johns brothers have proven their supremacy. But wait! Based on what I saw at the end of 2023, Riley Newman and Thomas Wilson have got chemistry, compatibility, and, above all, a versatile game. Should circumstances put these two teams on court, grab your popcorn and buckle up! Destined for a stay at the top, as well, provided they remain sharp and steady, are James Johnson and Dylan Frazier, Christian Alshon and Connor Garnett.

Mixed Doubles

Consistent throughout 2023, Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns finished strong, losing only a couple of matches. Hey, they're human! Nevertheless, James and Jorja Johnson are going to be their nemesis in 2024, along with Riley and Lindsey Newman, Anna Bright and James Ignatowich, Thomas Wilson and Vivienne David, and, a new partnership, Catherine Parenteau and Jack Sock.

As is true of professional pickleball, and as I said in What It Was Like to Watch Pickleball in 2023, anybody can win a big match on any given day. And having the best players in the world on tour, 2024 is guaranteed to surpass expectations, featuring one unforgettable Championship Sunday after another. I wish the players—first-class athletes, all of them—good luck, good health, and continued success.

Which tennis pro are you MOST excited to see compete in pro pickleball this year? 📺👀 pic.twitter.com/eZMvGkNJ7g

— Carvana PPA Tour (@PPAtour) December 28, 2023

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How Did These Predictions Play Out? A 2026 Retrospective

Looking back from February 2026, it's fascinating to see what transpired. Some predictions were spot-on, others hilariously wrong, and a few developments I never saw coming.

Women's Singles: Mostly Correct, But...

✓ Nailed it: Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau did continue their dominance through most of 2024. ALW won 11 of 14 singles titles that year.

✗ Missed: Jorja Johnson's singles trajectory was slower than expected. While she improved, the breakout star was actually Anna Bright, who won three majors in 2024-2025 and is now ranked #3 globally. Lacy Schneemann also exceeded expectations, capturing her first gold in singles at the 2025 US Open.

Surprise: In late 2025, European player Federica Urgesi shocked everyone by defeating ALW in the semifinals of the Euros Championships—the first time a European player had beaten Waters in singles in three years.

Men's Singles: The Ben Johns Era Continues (Barely)

✓ Partially correct: Ben Johns did hold his #1 position, but it was far from comfortable. Federico Staksrud won four titles in 2024 and pushed Johns to the limit repeatedly.

✗ Big miss: Thomas Wilson, whom I predicted would "intensify the competition," actually moved away from singles to focus almost exclusively on doubles and mixed, where he found more success.

Surprise: The real singles revelation was Connor Garnett, who went from fringe contender to consistent finalist, winning the 2025 PPA Championships and establishing himself as the primary threat to Johns' dominance.

Women's Doubles: Waters/Parenteau Unbeatable

✓ 100% correct: This prediction aged like fine wine. Waters and Parenteau remained undefeated in women's doubles through 2024, extending their streak to an astonishing 203-2 all-time record by early 2026. They are the greatest women's doubles team in pickleball history—period.

✗ Slightly off: The Kawamoto twins didn't emerge as the primary challengers. That honor went to Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher, who pushed Waters/Parenteau to three games multiple times and are currently the only team with a realistic shot at defeating them.

Men's Doubles: Newman/Wilson Called It

✓ Nailed it: Riley Newman and Thomas Wilson did indeed develop into the Johns brothers' primary rivals, winning seven titles together in 2024-2025 including a memorable gold at the 2025 National Championships where they defeated the Johns brothers 15-13 in the third game.

✓ Also correct: James Johnson and Dylan Frazier remained elite, as did Christian Alshon and Connor Garnett. The men's doubles field deepened considerably just as predicted.

Mixed Doubles: Chaos Reigned

Partially correct: Waters and Ben Johns continued their dominance but lost more matches than expected—they went 32-6 in 2024, excellent but not as dominant as previous years.

✗ Big surprise: Catherine Parenteau and Jack Sock did partner up as I predicted, but Sock retired from pro pickleball in mid-2025 to return to tennis. Parenteau then partnered with Grayson Goldin and won two majors.

Biggest shock: Thomas Wilson and Vivienne David didn't just compete—they won the 2025 US Open mixed doubles, defeating Waters/Johns in a thriller. By 2026, they're arguably the #2 mixed team globally.

My 2026 Predictions

Having learned from my 2024 forecasting successes and failures, here's what I see for 2026:

Women's Singles

• Anna Leigh Waters will win 60%+ of titles but face stiffer competition than ever
• Anna Bright will capture at least three majors and push ALW harder than anyone
• Lacy Schneemann will finally break through for multiple golds
• Dark horse: Watch for Federica Urgesi to win her first PPA title in North America

Men's Singles

• Ben Johns' stranglehold loosens—he'll win 50% of titles (down from 70%+ in prior years)
• Connor Garnett wins at least four majors and threatens for #1 ranking
• Federico Staksrud finally captures his first Grand Slam
• Dark horse: Dylan Frazier dedicates more focus to singles and breaks into top 5

Women's Doubles

• Waters/Parenteau extend their streak to 250+ wins
• Bright/Rohrabacher finally defeat them at least once
• No other team will come close

Men's Doubles

• Newman/Wilson win 40% of tournaments
• Johns brothers still elite but showing signs of mortality
• Garnett/Alshon emerge as legitimate title contenders
• The field is wide open—expect surprises

Mixed Doubles

• Waters/Johns remain #1 but lose 10+ matches this year
• Wilson/David win at least three majors
• Jorja and JW Johnson (siblings) partner more frequently and win big
• Parenteau/Goldin stay in top 3

The Big Picture

The sport continues maturing. The talent gap is narrowing. The days of anyone going undefeated for an entire season are likely over. We're entering an era of parity, and that's thrilling for fans and brutal for players. 2026 will feature the most competitive professional pickleball we've ever seen.

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David Boyle

A versatile and diversified writer, David Boyle has written three short story collections, published by independent presses. Though he earned his readership by writing reality-based fiction, Boyle has gained a reputation for literary stories, essays, articles, reviews, interviews, analyses, travel writing, reportage, and poems, a good number of which have appeared in both print and online magazines. Inspired by his wife's passion for the sport, David now loves pickleball and aims to illuminate current pickleball events and subjects with a fresh, creative perspective, offering readers something they can't find anywhere else. | My website | [email protected] | My Pickleball Journal