Pro Players Hub

The names you keep hearing - Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, Tyson McGuffin - they're at the top for good reason. Ben Johns is basically the guy everyone's trying to beat. Anna Leigh Waters became the youngest pro champion and hasn't slowed down since.

Then you've got players like Catherine Parenteau, Federico Staksrud, and newer faces shaking things up. The cool thing about pickleball right now is that the top rankings actually shift around - it's not like one person dominates forever. The competition's getting fiercer every tournament.

A lot of them do, actually. Genie Bouchard's the obvious example - former Grand Slam tennis player who switched over. But plenty of pros come from other racquet sports or even volleyball and table tennis.

What's interesting is that tennis players have to unlearn some habits. The ball behaves differently, court positioning isn't the same, and the soft game matters way more than raw power. Some tennis converts dominate quickly, others struggle with the adjustment.

Then you've got players who grew up playing pickleball from the start, and they bring a totally different style. No one path is better - it just creates different playing personalities.

There's no entrance exam or official certification - you basically just start competing at the pro level. Most players work their way up through local tournaments, then regional events, then eventually the big sanctioned pro tournaments.

You'll need a strong rating (usually 5.0+) and start registering for pro brackets at major events. Some players make the jump faster than others depending on their athletic background. Former tennis or racquet sport athletes sometimes skip levels pretty quickly.

The real challenge isn't just entering pro tournaments - it's actually being competitive enough to earn ranking points and prize money. You'll need serious court time, probably a coach, and honestly, the financial cushion to travel the circuit before you're making enough to support yourself. Most aspiring pros keep day jobs or coaching gigs while they're grinding their way up.

Ben Johns is almost certainly at the top. Between tournament winnings, his paddle sponsorship deals, and appearance fees, he's reportedly making several million a year.

The exact numbers are hard to pin down because sponsorship deals aren't public, but Johns has basically been the face of professional pickleball. When you're that dominant and that marketable, the money follows.

Other top earners include players like Tyson McGuffin and Anna Leigh Waters - they've got major paddle sponsorships and consistently win tournaments. But Johns has been at the top longer and has the kind of name recognition that brings in the big endorsement money. The gap between the top few players and everyone else is pretty significant right now.

PPA (Professional Pickleball Association) is the traditional tournament format - singles and doubles brackets, players competing individually or with their chosen partners. It's been around longer and follows a more classic sports tournament structure.

MLP (Major League Pickleball) is the newer team-based league format. Think of it more like traditional sports leagues - you've got franchises, drafts, team rosters. Players compete for their team rather than just themselves, and there's a whole different vibe to it.

Both matter for pros. PPA tournaments are where you build your ranking and reputation. MLP is where the big money and team dynamics come in. Most top pros compete in both because they serve different purposes in the professional landscape.

If you're starting from zero? Years. Like, multiple years of serious, dedicated play. Most pros who didn't come from other racquet sports put in at least 3-5 years before they're competitive at the pro level.

Former tennis or racquet sport athletes can sometimes make the jump in 1-2 years if they're really committed. But even then, there's a learning curve. The soft game, the kitchen dynamics, the strategy - it's different enough that natural athleticism only gets you so far.

The reality is that going pro isn't just about skill development. You need tournament experience, mental toughness under pressure, and the time to actually compete on the circuit. Some people plateau at 4.5 or 5.0 and never make the leap. It's not just about practice hours - some of it's natural ability, some of it's having the resources to commit fully.