The headliners.

Ben Johns remains the benchmark on the men’s side, with consistent top billing in tour rankings. Anna Leigh Waters sits atop the women’s field and is the sport’s most visible superstar. Check the PPA table for current placements. 

Chasing pack (men).

‍Names you’ll keep hearing: Federico Staksrud, JW Johnson, Christian Alshon, Riley Newman, James Ignatowich, Gabriel Tardio, Hayden Patriquin—a mix of power baseliners and hand-speed maestros. 

Chasing pack (women).

Catherine Parenteau, Anna Bright, Parris Todd, Jorja Johnson, Rachel Rohrabacher, Tyra Black keep finals weekends spicy. Editorial rundowns this year still start with Waters at No. 1, with the gap narrowing in doubles.

Crossover shine.

‍Tennis legends and mainstream athletes dropping in have boosted visibility. A headline example: Andre Agassi teaming with Anna Leigh Waters at a major U.S. event—and even snagging a win—grabbed national attention.

Teams & owners.

‍The MLP team model brought celebrity investors into the fold (from MLB pitchers to Hollywood stars), blurring sports and entertainment and helping the sport hit new audiences. 

The content engine.

‍If you follow pickleball online, you’ve seen The Dink (newsletter, YouTube) and PicklePod with Zane Navratil. Awards circuits have spotlighted creators like Memes of Pickleball, John Cincola, Kyle Koszuta, and others pushing analysis, humor, and education. 

Rankings, simplified.

‍Post-merger, expect more cohesion between tour leaderboards and team-league storylines. Keep an eye on official tables for week-to-week shifts at the top.

What to watch in matches.

‍Hand battles at the kitchen, cat-and-mouse third-shot patterns, and targeted stacking choices. On broadcast, look for improved visuals—spin, speed, and placement—plus the coming era of electronic line-calling.

Fan entry points.

‍Start with finals days on PPA streams, then sample MLP’s team format for rivalry vibes. Follow a couple of creators for weekly context so the names and tactics stick.

How CeCe fits for clubs.

‍More fans means more foot traffic. CeCe automates daily cleaning and quick micro-resets between blocks, keeping traction consistent when you spin up viewing parties, pro-inspired ladders, or skill clinics.

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