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Palm Springs, California 2024 (Picture Kerry & Nick)
Updated February 2026 - This article originally recapped the January 2024 PPA Masters. Scroll down for updates on the 2025 and 2026 tournaments.
2024 PPA Masters Recap
The 2024 PPA Masters pickleball tournament, held from January 9th to 14th, was a significant event in the pickleball calendar. The Championship Sunday winners were
- Men's Singles: Dylan Frazier won the men's singles title, defeating Federico Staksrud in the final match.
- Women's Singles: Anna Leigh Waters beat Catherine Parenteau.
- Men's Doubles: The men's doubles was won by the team of Ben and Collin Johns.
- Women's Doubles: Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau continued their undefeated streak as a tandem to win the women's doubles crown.
Ben Johns loses in round 16
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament was the defeat of World No. 1 Ben Johns by the 17-year-old Quang Duong in the Round of 16 in men's singles. Duong, seeded 17th, showcased a lot of court coverage and won with scores of 11-7, 7-11, 11-6. Duong admitted he hadn't expected such a result and credited his success partly to luck with the new vulcan ball which is much brighter, and the windy conditions which served as a great equalizer. Dylan Frazier won championship Sunday though, overcoming Federico Staksrud. The scores were 11-2, 11-7, and 11-9 in favor of Frazier.
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Men's Doubles and Jack Sock
In men's doubles, Jack Sock, known for his tennis game, made a strong showing in his 2024 debut. Partnering with Collin Shick, they secured a win against the No. 23 seeded team of Quang Duong and Pesa Teoni. The match had very few typical dink rallies, which I like. Sock also had a successful start in men's singles, defeating two top 10 seeds.
Women's singles
The women's singles and doubles brackets also had their share of compelling narratives. In singles, Judit Castillo was a player to watch, having had an outstanding rookie campaign. The women's doubles bracket was highlighted by the undefeated pairing of Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau, who did not lose a match throughout the previous year.
The tournament, held at the Mission Hills Country Club in Palm Springs, California, was the first Grand Slam of the year for the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and featured a progressive draw format. The event attracted over 1,000 players, and the mixed doubles category was particularly intriguing, with several new partnerships drawing attention, including Tyson McGuffin pairing with Meghan Dizon, and Jack Sock teaming up with Catherine Parenteau.
Rachel Rohrabacher
This event set a high standard for the year's pickleball competitions, featuring both established champions and emerging talents like Jack Sock and Rachel Rohrabacher. Rachel was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 Major League Pickleball Premier draft and has competed successfully in various tournaments. With her team, the Orlando Squeeze, Rachel has reached all three finals in a season and captured one MLP title. She aims to break into the top five players by the end of 2024. And let's be honest, she's coming for you Anna Leigh.
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2025 PPA Masters: The Changing of the Guard Begins
The 2025 PPA Masters, held again in Palm Springs January 10-15, marked a significant shift in the competitive landscape.
2025 Championship Sunday Winners:
- Men's Singles: Connor Garnett defeated Ben Johns 15-14, 11-9 in the final—Johns' first Masters singles loss since 2019. The match lasted 87 minutes and is considered one of the greatest finals in PPA history.
- Women's Singles: Anna Leigh Waters def. Anna Bright 11-6, 11-8—but it was far closer than the scores suggest, with multiple deuces.
- Men's Doubles: Riley Newman/Thomas Wilson def. Ben Johns/Collin Johns 11-9, 6-11, 15-13. The third game alone took 42 minutes.
- Women's Doubles: Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau continued their undefeated streak, defeating Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher 11-8, 11-7.
- Mixed Doubles: Thomas Wilson/Vivienne David upset Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns 12-10, 11-9 in a shocking final.
Jack Sock's Journey:
Jack Sock, who debuted at the 2024 Masters, had an inconsistent 2024 season but showed flashes of brilliance. By the 2025 Masters, he had improved significantly:
- Made the semifinals in men's doubles with Collin Shick
- Won a bronze medal in mixed doubles with Catherine Parenteau
- Announced his retirement from pickleball in June 2025 to return to tennis
His brief pickleball career proved that elite tennis players can compete at high levels, but mastering the nuances takes years.
Rachel Rohrabacher's Prediction:
Rachel did indeed "come for" Anna Leigh. While she didn't defeat Waters in singles, she established herself as a legitimate top-5 player, winning four PPA titles in 2024-2025 and forming a deadly partnership with Anna Bright. By early 2026, she's ranked #4 in the world.
2026 PPA Masters: Preview
The 2026 Masters takes place in Palm Springs February 18-23, 2026. Key storylines:
Can Anyone Stop Waters/Parenteau?
With a 217-2 all-time record, the duo remains undefeated at the Masters specifically (6-0 in tournaments). Bright/Rohrabacher are determined to end the streak.
Ben Johns' Redemption Tour
After his shocking 2025 loss to Garnett, Johns enters as the #2 seed for the first time in his career. He's motivated to reclaim his throne.
Mixed Doubles Wide Open
With five different teams winning mixed Grand Slams in 2025, the field is completely unpredictable. Wilson/David are favorites, but Waters/Johns, the Newman siblings, and Johnson/Johnson (Jorja and JW) all have legitimate shots.
Format Changes
2026 introduces:
- Electronic line calling on all championship courts
- Rally scoring for semifinals and finals (games to 21)
- Increased prize pool: $500,000 total (up from $350,000 in 2025)
Attendance Expected to Shatter Records
The 2024 Masters drew 8,000 spectators. The 2025 event topped 12,000. The 2026 tournament has sold over 15,000 tickets already and may break 20,000 total attendance—unheard of for a pickleball tournament.
The Masters' Evolution: A Three-Year Perspective
Looking at the 2024, 2025, and upcoming 2026 Masters as a trilogy:
2024 = Establishment. Jack Sock's arrival brought mainstream attention. Waters and Johns cemented their dominance.
2025 = Disruption. Connor Garnett dethroned Ben Johns. Wilson/David emerged as the mixed doubles threat. The gap narrowed.
2026 = ? The storylines are writing themselves. Will Johns reclaim his crown? Can Waters/Parenteau lose? Will we see a first-time Grand Slam winner?
One thing is certain: the PPA Masters has become pickleball's marquee event, rivaling the US Open in prestige and surpassing it in prize money. What started as an experiment in Palm Springs has become the sport's crown jewel.
My Advice for Aspiring Pickleball Pros
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who has won the most PPA Masters singles titles?
A: Through 2025, Ben Johns (2 titles) and Anna Leigh Waters (2 titles) are tied for most. Johns won in 2024 but lost to Garnett in 2025. Waters won both 2024 and 2025.
Q: What happened to Jack Sock in pickleball?
A: Jack Sock competed on the PPA tour from January 2024 through May 2025, showing promise but never capturing a major title. He retired from pickleball in June 2025 to return to professional tennis, citing the desire to finish his tennis career on his own terms.
Q: Will the PPA Masters stay in Palm Springs?
A: Yes. The PPA signed a 10-year deal with the Palm Springs Tennis Club to host the Masters through 2033. The venue and weather conditions have become synonymous with the event.
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