A Year of Alignment: Ratings, Growth, and the Bigger Picture

The recent partnership announcements between USA Pickleball and DUPR, along with the APP Tour, feel like a major step toward something the sport has needed for a long time: true alignment.

From my perspective, both as a competitor and through my part-time work with DUPR, having more match data living in one place matters. When players are consistently matched against their true peers, competition becomes fairer, results feel more meaningful, and trust in the system grows. Increased data, transparency, and cooperation across organizations are exactly what’s needed to make ratings more accurate and more useful, for both pros and amateurs, long term.

Pickleball Went Global in 2025 and It’s Just Getting Started

One of the most exciting parts of 2025 was witnessing pickleball’s international growth firsthand. From PPA Asia hosting seven tournaments between July and December, to the continued success of MLP Australia, and the emergence of high-level pro events in India, Vietnam, Malaysia, and beyond, it’s clear this sport is no longer just growing, it’s accelerating.

Competing internationally gave me a new appreciation for how passionate these communities are and how quickly the level of play is rising. I’d love to see similar momentum build in Europe, because nothing speeds up development like American players mixing with top international talent and pushing each other to a higher standard.

Watching the Top of DUPR Heading Into 2026

As we move into 2026, I’m especially curious to see whether we’ll get any shake-ups in the Top 5 of the DUPR rankings. Right now, those spots are held by some of the most dominant and consistent players in the game:

Men’s Doubles

• Ben Johns
• Andrei Daescu
• JW Johnson
• Gabriel Tardio
• Hayden Patriquin
  
  

Men’s Singles

• Hunter Johnson
• Chris Haworth
• Christian Alshon
• Quang Duong 
• Federico Staksrud
  
  

Women’s Doubles

• Anna Leigh Waters
• Anna Bright
• Jorja Johnson
• Hurricane Tyra Black
• Jade Kawamoto
  
  

Women’s Singles

• Anna Leigh Waters
• Kate Fahey
• Parris Todd
• Brooke Buckner
• Catherine Parenteau

On the men’s side, I’m putting my bets on Will Howells or Eric Oncins in doubles, and Roscoe Bellamy in singles. All three closed out 2025 strong, and if they can keep building consistency and turning deep runs into regular podium finishes, I think they have a real shot at cracking the Top 5.

On the women’s side, it’s a tougher call given how dominant and consistent the current Top 3 have been. There wasn’t much movement at the top in 2025, but heading into 2026, my picks would be Catherine Parenteau in doubles and Lea Jansen in singles to push into that No.4 or No.5 spots in the rankings. Both are elite players in their own right, and I’m predicting a more consistent year for each, especially when it comes to regular podium finishes.

2025 Recap: A Year That Shaped Me

2025 was a year of firsts, growth, and perseverance both professionally and personally. The pro pickleball world was nothing short of wild, and while I entered the season with clear goals, some were achieved and others now carry directly into 2026.

On a personal note, I got married in February at home, surrounded by family and friends. Planning it was stressful, but it was easily one of the most meaningful moments of my life. Having a supportive partner truly makes all the difference.

This year also pushed me to think beyond competition and what life after pickleball could look like. I expanded my off-court experiences through clinics, exhibitions, pro-ams, community events, and part-time work with DUPR, while becoming even more involved in the broader pickleball community. In a social-media-driven world, I made a conscious effort to share the real me, through instructional content, match highlights, and day-in-the-life moments, with a goal of providing consistent, genuine value on a weekly basis in 2026.

Professionally, I competed in my first international tournament at the Global Sports Grand Slam Pro League in India. While there’s still plenty of room for growth, the passion for pickleball there is undeniable, and Asia is clearly on the rise.

Competitively, I’m proud of the consistency I found this season: 20 medals across the APP Tour, the US Open, and USA Nationals (9 Gold, 7 Silver, 4 Bronze). I came close to multiple Triple Crowns and fell just short of singles gold more than once, being experiences that only fueled my motivation heading into 2026.

Looking back, 2025 challenged me, shaped me, and set the foundation for what’s next. And honestly, I’m just getting started.

To follow my journey, keep checking out DUPR’s blog page, where DUPR publishes many pickleball tips and blogs I share.