Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters are widely regarded as the best players right now.
Curious about who is the best pickleball player in the world? You’re in the right place. I cover the rankings, the skills that set champions apart, and how the top names compare. I’ve coached rec-to-tournament players, tracked tour data for years, and watched these pros in person. By the end, you will know exactly why the answer points to two names and how to judge the debate for yourself.
What “best” really means in pickleball
“Best” depends on context. Singles, doubles, and mixed doubles demand different skills. The best in mixed may not be the best in singles.
To answer who is the best pickleball player in the world, we should blend results and quality of play. Look at win rate, titles across events, head-to-head records, and how a player raises a partner’s level. Add consistency over time, not just one hot month.
A fair method also considers strength of schedule. Finals against elite fields matter more than early-round blowouts.
The current answer: Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters
If you ask pros and coaches who is the best pickleball player in the world, most point to Ben Johns on the men’s side and Anna Leigh Waters on the women’s side. They stack titles in singles, doubles, and mixed. They often anchor finals on the toughest tour stops.
Ben Johns blends touch, spin, and court IQ. His hands in the kitchen are elite, and his resets under pressure are calm and precise. He also plays mixed with Anna Leigh Waters, and that team is a near-lock for Sunday.
Anna Leigh Waters brings speed, anticipation, and fearless offense. She turns neutral balls into winners and controls the middle with quick hands. In mixed, she drives first, then crashes the kitchen, which bends rallies to her plan.
How rankings work and why they matter
Tours assign points for wins, rounds, and event tiers. Majors and championships carry more weight. The best players protect early rounds and peak late on Sunday.
Rankings are useful, but they lag form by a few weeks. That is why who is the best pickleball player in the world is part data and part eye test. Watch finals, study quality of win, and track how often a player carries new partners deep.
I also check surface, ball, and draw strength. Some players are better with a faster ball or a slower court. Context matters.
Why Ben Johns stands apart
When I watched Ben live, two things popped. First, his split step is always on time. Second, he sees patterns three shots ahead. He plays chess while others play checkers.
Key traits you can notice on video:
- Serve and third ball: Heavy topspin, deep targets, and early speed to the kitchen.
- Dink patience: He resets low, then attacks shoulder-high balls with a short punch.
- Transition defense: He blocks hard drives soft and dips them at the feet.
- Mixed mastery: He gives partners easy balls and takes pressure points himself.
Gear and tactics help too. A spin-friendly paddle supports his roll dinks and dipping counters. If you ask who is the best pickleball player in the world in men’s play, Ben’s all-court toolkit is the model.
Why Anna Leigh Waters sets the women’s standard
Anna Leigh’s game is built on pace and timing. She takes time away from rivals. Her first step is explosive, and her contact point is early, which steals control at the kitchen.
What to learn from her style:
- First-strike mindset: Strong drives to create pop-ups, then a quick close-in volley.
- Middle dominance: She calls balls early and owns the seam with confidence.
- Pressure tolerance: Down game point, her shot choices stay clear and aggressive.
- Mixed doubles value: With Ben, she draws weak replies, then finishes with speed.
Ask who is the best pickleball player in the world for women, and her consistency in singles, doubles, and mixed makes a strong case.
Other contenders and rising stars
Great fields push champions to improve. These players keep the race close and exciting.
- Federico Staksrud: Steady in singles with elite passing shots and depth control.
- JW Johnson: Calm hands, superb counters, and strong doubles instincts.
- Dylan Frazier: Defense-first doubles player who pairs well with attacking partners.
- Catherine Parenteau: Clean technique, top-tier resets, and reliable finals presence.
- Anna Bright: Aggressive by nature with sharp hands and strong mixed instincts.
- Parris Todd and Jorja Johnson: Shot-makers with rising doubles impact.
Any of them can win big on a hot week. That is why who is the best pickleball player in the world is a live debate, not a fixed crown.
A simple way to decide for yourself
Use a quick three-part method to judge who is the best pickleball player in the world.
- Watch finals from two recent majors. Note who controls the middle, wins hands battles, and closes points at the kitchen.
- Track unforced errors and forced errors. Champions force mistakes more than they donate them.
- Check results across formats. The most convincing answer to who is the best pickleball player in the world wins in singles, doubles, and mixed or posts elite consistency in two of the three.
Add notes on clutch points. The best convert game points and hold when the pressure spikes.
Learn from the best: drills inspired by Johns and Waters
You can copy the patterns that keep them on top. Keep reps simple and focused.
- Third-ball plus transition: Feed a deep return. Hit a heavy third, then practice two soft blocks to the kitchen. Goal is calm feet and soft hands.
- Middle control with a partner: Dink cross-court for five shots, then attack the middle on a shoulder-high ball. Reset if you get countered.
- Two-ball counter drill: Partner speeds up at your right shoulder. You block soft to feet, then counter the next ball to open space.
- Early contact drive: From the right wing, step in and drive early off the bounce. Aim mid-body to jam, just like Anna Leigh.
Run each drill for five minutes. Switch roles. Track how many clean patterns you win. This is how who is the best pickleball player in the world plays the game, and you can build the same habits.
Frequently Asked Questions of who is the best pickleball player in the world
Who is the best pickleball player in the world right now?
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters lead most conversations. They win across formats and anchor finals week after week.
Is the best player always number one in rankings?
Usually, but not always. Rankings can lag form and do not weigh strength of draw perfectly.
Who is the best pickleball player in the world in singles only?
Ben Johns holds a strong case on the men’s side, with Federico Staksrud close. Anna Leigh Waters is a top pick for women’s singles, with strong challengers nearby.
Who dominates mixed doubles?
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters are the benchmark team. Their patterns create early control and late-clutch wins.
Can a doubles specialist be the best overall?
Yes, if their doubles and mixed results are dominant. But cross-format strength strengthens any claim about who is the best pickleball player in the world.
What could change the answer next season?
New partnerships, paddle tech, and rising stars. A few tight Sunday matches can swing the debate fast.
Conclusion
If you are asking who is the best pickleball player in the world, the most complete answer today is Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. They win across formats, control big points, and make strong fields look ordinary. Others are close, and that pushes the sport higher.
Use the simple method here to judge form yourself. Watch finals, count errors, and study the middle. Try the drills, track your progress, and bring pro patterns to your next league night.
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