The Veolia Arizona Open, the second event of the 2026-2027 PPA Tour season, continues Sunday with the gold medal matches in all five pro events.

Here is Sunday's order of play:

Live broadcast coverage begins at 5pm ET on Pickleballtv and the PBTV app before moving to FS1 from 7pm-9pm ET.

The Veolia Arizona Open, the second event of the 2026-2027 PPA Tour season, continues Saturday with semifinal action in all five pro events.

Here is Saturday’s order of play:

Live broadcast coverage begins at 5pm ET on Pickleballtv and the PBTV app and will also be available on FS2 from 7-9pm ET.

If there’s one thing tennis never misses on, it’s the fashion.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has turned championship courts into her own runway, regularly competing in stunning, high-end necklaces that have become part of her signature look. The custom pieces are bold, luxurious, and impossible to ignore—just like her game.

Of course, not everyone’s a fan. Critics have taken aim at the flashy jewelry, calling it over-the-top or questioning how millions of dollars in diamonds don’t interfere with her performance. But Sabalenka keeps showing that style and dominance can coexist.

And it’s not just tennis. Jewelry is making noise on the pro pickleball scene, too. Players like Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio, and Tyson McGuffin have embraced custom diamond initial chains on court, adding a personal edge to their look. Meanwhile, Michael Loyd might be the most iced-out of them all—stacking rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings for a full-on statement every time he competes.

As much as I love the look, I lean toward whatever makes a player feel most comfortable. Personally, Sabalenka’s statement pieces would feel a bit heavy and distracting for me, but maybe that’s the point. If she’s trained in them long enough, that weight likely feels second nature by the time she steps on court.

It’s probably a similar story in pickleball. The pros who wear jewelry have done it for so long, it’s just part of their routine. Loyd has even said he doesn’t play as well without it—proof that for some athletes, those accessories aren’t distractions at all, but part of the performance.

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There was no shortage of hype surrounding the first-time partnership of Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud competing at this week’s Veolia Arizona Open.

And it makes sense; the two have had so many battles over the years that it’s only appropriate that they team up when Johns’ usually partner, Gabe Tardio, is out of the country.

But the weeks of thinking about the damage this partnership could do in the desert proved to be for nothing, as Johns/Staksrud fell in their very first match together against Nico Acevedo/Yuta Funemizu.

And this wasn’t one of those three-game thrillers—it was a 34-minute thrashing that ended with an 11-4, 11-5 win for the No. 15 seeds.

Admittedly, this was a brutal draw for any first-time partnership; Acevedo/Funemizu have a history of successful outings together, including winning the Wilson PPA Challenger back in May and beating some high-quality tandems in their short time as Major League Pickleball teammates for the Miami Pickleball Club, namely Andrei Daescu/CJ Klinger and Jaume Martinez Vich/Jay Devilliers.

But it was still stunning to see live: Acevedo grinding with Johns in the crosscourt dink rallies and finding ways past Staksrud, while Funemizu remained nearly unattackable with his soft tennis-influenced counters.

And above all, it was a reminder that potential doesn’t always equal results in the ever-deepening field of pro pickleball.

Acevedo/Funemizu will look to build on this triumph when they face No. 9 seeds Casey Diamond/Tyson McGuffin in Friday’s quarterfinal round.

And on the other side, Johns and Staksrud will take the court again—this time as opponents—when they meet in the men’s singles quarterfinals.

Catch all of Friday’s action on Pickleballtv starting at 5pm ET.

The Veolia Arizona Open, the second event of the 2026-2027 PPA Tour season, continues Friday with quarterfinal action in all five pro events.

Here is Friday’s order of play:

Live broadcast coverage begins at 5pm ET on Pickleballtv and the PBTV app before moving to FS1 from 7-9pm ET.

Pro pickleball athlete Hannah Blatt recently dropped her list of 20 things she wishes she knew sooner, and it hits.

Whether you’re just picking up a paddle or have been grinding for years, these takeaways apply at every level of the game.

1. Stop trying to hit a winner every point

It’s a tempting instinct in any moment of a match, but sometimes the smartest move is to slow everything down: the pace, the rally, even your mindset. Rushing for a winner too soon often leads to unforced errors, when patience would’ve paid off.

2. Patience wins more points than power

As the game continues to evolve, power is more tempting than ever, but it’s the patient player who stays consistent and waits for the right ball to attack that ultimately comes out on top.

3. The first three shots matter A LOT

The serve, return, and third shot drop, drive, or drip sets the tone of the point. The pros are right, drill those shots as much as possible. 

4. Depth is more important than pace 

It’s not about speeding up every ball, sometimes the winning shot is a well-placed passing shot that your opponent simply can’t reach.

5. Not every ball is an attackable ball

This is where patience comes into play again. It’s tempting to go for a speed-up, but you have to be strategic about which balls to speed up because not every ball is attackable and will help you win the point. Choose the right ball.

6. If it’s low, reset instead of forcing it

The art of resetting the ball is an underrated skill.

7. Soft hands are a skill

And a skill we all need to be practicing more.

8. Your paddle face matters more than your swing speed

Pay close attention to your paddle angle. More often than not, when a shot doesn’t go as planned, it comes down to your paddle face being slightly off. Make small adjustments and stay intentional with your positioning—it makes all the difference.

9. Grip pressure can completely change your game

Coaches and pros say that you need a looser grip when you hold your paddle.

10. The middle ball needs communication

Calling “Mine!” is a great habit to start when playing with a new doubles partner. This helps eliminate confusion when a ball goes down the middle.

11. Doubles is about moving as a team

One of the biggest tips the pros give to amateur doubles teams is that they need to be aligned with their partner. If your partner is at the baseline, so should you. Move up to the kitchen line as a unit.

12. Your feet can be more important than your hands (and that’s also why having great shoes make a difference)

Footwork is everything, especially at the pro level. But it’s not just how you move; it’s how you support your movement. Taking care of your feet and wearing the right shoes can elevate your performance while helping prevent injuries.

13. Drilling is how you build confidence

So grab a friend or a ball machine and start drilling.

14. Playing more games doesn’t always mean getting better

More often than not, rest and recovery matter more than squeezing in one more game and pushing your body past its limits.

15. Most points are won by creating the right opportunity

Be strategic.

16. Confidence comes from repetition and trusting your equipment, especially your paddle 

The right paddle for your playing style can be a true game-changer. Take the time to find the one that fits your game best. For Blatt, it’s the JOOLA Agassi Pro. 

17. A bad point doesn’t have to become a bad game

Reset. Regroup. No matter how the previous points went, you can always shift momentum and turn the game around.

18. You don’t need the newest gear to improve

This might be a hot take, but Blatt is right. It’s easy to get caught up chasing the newest paddle on the market, but real improvement doesn’t come from new equipment—it comes from consistent practice and quality time on the court.

19. The right paddle should give you confidence, not change your game

Play to your strengths and choose a paddle that matches your style. If you’re a power player, lean into a power-oriented paddle. If spin is your game, find one that enhances it. Your paddle should complement your game, not redefine it.

20. The “boring” shots are usually the ones that win matches

As tempting as it is to go for a winner, a consistent, reliable game will take you further than any flashy shot ever will.

“The more I play, the more I realize pickleball is less about doing more, and more about doing the simple things really well,” concluded Blatt.

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Most rec groups run on some version of the same system. You show up, you rotate in, you figure out partners between games, and it works well enough that nobody thinks much about it.

If you're happy with that, you're not missing anything urgent, but there are a few practical reasons to try running your group's session as a format instead, and they're worth exploring.

1. Less time spent organizing between games

Sorting out who's playing next and who's with who takes a few minutes every time, and it happens after every game. By the end of a session that's a decent amount of your court time spent on logistics. If the bracket is already built, the next matchup is on your phone when the game ends and you just go to the court it lists.

2. More variety in who you play with

Most people end up partnering with the same couple of players out of habit. A scramble format rotates partners every match, so you play with and against people in your group you don't normally draw. It's a small thing, but you tend to pick up more playing with someone whose game you don't already know.

3. You end up with stats

When matches are recorded as part of a format, they add up into something you can look back at later.

Game Maker keeps a rolling 90-day record with your wins, losses, win percentage, games played, points for and against, and point differential. It also tracks who you win most with and who you lose most to, your record in close games and deciding games, and your average partner and opponent ratings so you can see what level you've been playing at.

There's a head-to-head view too. Pick anyone in your group and you can compare mutual record, power rank, clutch index, point differential and points won percentage, filtered by singles, doubles or skinny singles.

If you play weekly, each session gets its own breakdown: matches played, win percentage, point differential, your rating that day, and your best partner and toughest opponent for that day specifically. After a couple months of that you have a reasonably clear picture of how you're doing and who you're doing it against.

4. There's an overall winner

In free play you win individual games. In a format, someone wins the day. The leaderboard sorts on win percentage, head-to-head, point differential and points earned against points allowed, so going 6-2 against tough draws can finish ahead of 7-1 against easy ones. It gives the session a little more shape without making it a big deal.

Setting this all up manually is a pain, but there's an easier way in your pocket. Open your game in Game Maker, tap Create organized play, and pick your bracket type, singles or doubles, and a score format. The app handles the rest, including the matchups, the courts and the scoring. At the end you've got a record of what happened instead of just a general sense of how it went.

Game Maker is free to download for organizing your groups session, and organized play formats are available with Premium which everyone can access with a 30-day free trial.

Kiora Kunimoto and Elliott Schupp are into the mixed doubles quarterfinals at the Veolia Arizona Open.

The talented teenagers—who are aged 18 and 19, respectively—accomplished the feat by taking down No. 22 seeds Etta Tuionetoa/Will Howells on Tuesday, No. 9 seeds Kaitlyn Christian/Connor Garnett on Wednesday, and No. 25 seeds Meghan Dizon/John Lucin Goins on Thursday.

But this run isn’t random, nor is this week the first time that Kunimoto and Schupp have shared the court.

Their other two tournaments together came on the PPA Challenger Series in August; they took sixth place at the Seattle Challenger before taking gold at the Atlanta Challenger series two weeks later.

They compiled an 11-2 record together across those two events, a mark that has only improved this week in the Arizona desert.

Kunimoto and Schupp’s run is just the latest piece of evidence demonstrating just how effective the PPA Challenger Series has been at developing talent that can compete on the PPA Tour.

It’s a great thing for the challenger program at large as it continues to establish itself as the primary pipeline for the next crop of PPA pros.

The Veolia Arizona Open, the second event of the 2026-2027 PPA Tour season, continues Thursday with Round of 16 action in all five pro events.

Here is Thursday’s order of play:

Live broadcast coverage is available on Pickleballtv and the PBTV app.

Wondering what pickleball paddles the best players in the world are actually using?

The professional paddle landscape has changed considerably in 2026, with new paddle releases, sponsorship changes and even several top-ranked players competing with paddles that haven't officially hit the market yet.

Here’s a look at the paddles currently being used by the Top 10 men and Top 10 women in professional pickleball on the PPA Tour.

What Paddles Do the Top Men's Pickleball Players Use?

Where to Buy the Best Pro Men's Pickleball Paddles

Note: When you use our links, we'll add an automatic "thank you" discount to your cart! (some exclusions apply).

Ben Johns – JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16mm

Ben Johns continues to play with JOOLA and is currently using the Perseus Pro V 16mm. Johns has long been closely associated with the Perseus line, making it one of the most recognizable player-paddle combinations in professional pickleball.

Federico Staksrud – JOOLA Kosmos Pro V 16mm

Federico Staksrud is also representing JOOLA, but the Argentine star is using the Kosmos Pro V 16mm.

JOOLA continues to rank at the very top of the paddle industry and has a lot of paddle models and lines to choose from if you're a junkie wanting to learn more.

Hayden Patriquin – Franklin C45 Dynasty 16mm

Hayden Patriquin is one of Franklin's biggest young stars and plays with his own edition of the C45 Dynasty 16mm.

Christian Alshon – Paddletek Honeyfoam TKO-X

Christian Alshon has represented Paddletek since January 31, 2024 and is currently competing with the Honeyfoam TKO-X.

JW Johnson – Unreleased PIKKL Paddle

JW Johnson is one of several notable professionals currently competing with equipment that isn't yet available to the public. Johnson has been playing with an unreleased PIKKL paddle.

Note: PIKKL was recently bought by Paddletek, but remains its own standalone brand.

What Paddles Do the Top Women's Pickleball Players Use?

Where to Buy the Best Pro Women's Pickleball Paddles

Note: When you use our links, we'll add an automatic "thank you" discount to your cart! (some exclusions apply).

Anna Leigh Waters – Unreleased Franklin Paddle

The biggest paddle to watch might belong to Anna Leigh Waters.

Waters has been competing with a black unreleased Franklin paddle with a big ? emblazoned on it, meaning recreational players can't yet purchase the exact model being used by one of the biggest stars in the sport. Franklin will launch the paddle to the public eventually, but no official release date has been given.

To add fuel to the fire, both Parris Todd and Sofia Sewing have been spotted playing with the very same Franklin ? paddle as Anna Leigh Waters. To say we're excited about it is a huge understatement.

Anna Bright – JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V 14mm

Anna Bright is currently using the JOOLA Scorpeus Pro V 14mm. The thinner 14mm profile distinguishes her setup from several of JOOLA's other top professionals. Generally speaking, the thinner the paddle, the more power that can be generated.

Catherine Parenteau – Luzz Glider

Catherine Parenteau has made Luzz one of the increasingly visible brands at the top of professional pickleball. She currently competes with the Luzz Glider, but has not made an official announcement with them. She is technically the only unsigned Top 10 player right now.

Jorja Johnson – Unreleased PIKKL Paddle

Like her brother JW, Jorja Johnson is currently playing with an unreleased PIKKL paddle.

Note: PIKKL was recently bought by Paddletek, but remains its own standalone brand.

Rachel Rohrabacher – Friday Fever 102 Elongated 16mm

Rachel Rohrabacher represents Friday Pickleball and currently uses the Fever 102 Elongated 16mm. A relatively new brand, Friday is known for its full foam paddles at a reasonable price tag.

Which Paddle Brands Have the Most Top Pickleball Players?

Looking across the Top 10 men and women, no single manufacturer dominates professional pickleball.

JOOLA has five players in the Top 20: Ben Johns, Federico Staksrud, Noe Khlif, Kate Fahey, and Anna Bright.

Franklin has three: Anna Leigh Waters, Hayden Patriquin and Parris Todd.

PIKKL also has three: JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black.

Luzz has two: Catherine Parenteau and Kaitlyn Christian.

The remaining Top 20 players are spread across Facolos, Paddletek, CRBN, Adidas, Engage, Friday, and Eleven Zero.

That distribution shows just how competitive the paddle market has become. Rather than one or two manufacturers controlling the professional game, many of pickleball's biggest brands now have at least one elite player representing them.

Other Pro Pickleball Paddle Changes to Watch

The Top 20 aren't the only pros experimenting with new equipment.

Tama Shimabukuro has recently been playing with the Luzz Inferno2 M1.

Sofia Sewing was playing with the Franklin C45 Dynasty 16mm, but has been recently spotted using the same Franklin ? paddle as Anna Leigh Waters. 

Hunter Johnson recently switched to the Mehau S5 Airpoom.

Chris Haworth has played with both the Luzz Glider and Luzz Pro 4 Tornazo recently, including using the Tornazo in recent competition.

With sponsorships and paddle technology changing quickly, the equipment used on the PPA Tour can change throughout the season.

Pickleball.com will continue updating this list as top professionals change sponsors, switch models and put new paddles into tournament play.

To buy the paddles used by the top male and female pros in the sport, visit Pickleball Central, the largest superstore for pickleball goods in the world. When you use our link, we'll add an automatic discount to your cart! (some exclusions apply).

One of the most talked-about storylines right now centers on actress Sydney Sweeney and her recent campaign with Novig, a sports betting platform. The ad, which features Sweeney in a highly provocative setup with sports equipment strategically placed, has sparked significant backlash.

Female athletes across the country have voiced their frustration, calling the campaign disappointing and out of touch.

Ava Ignatowich shared her thoughts on the ad, and her response is a reminder of why so many people continue to love the sport of pickleball.

“My entire social media is covered with female athletes who are up in arms about this ad, sharing their stories, and talking about how much harder they have to work than men in sports just to earn respect. I’m seeing women say that Sydney Sweeney is setting us back 50 years. Seeing all of this play out, I can’t help but feel so much pride and so much gratitude for my sport,” explained Ignatowich.

“Say what you want about professional pickleball, but we have some of the most equal gender opportunities in all of sports. Women might be given even more opportunity than men. Show me another where men and women get paid the same, compete with each other, play alongside each other, and fan viewership is completely equal across genders,” she added.

“Show me another sport where the G.O.A.T., the most recognizable player, is a super cool 19-year-old girl. The face of our entire sport is a woman. So shout out to the PPA Tour and shout out to Anna Leigh Waters. Because as a woman in sports, I feel just as valued and just as respected as all the men around me. And unfortunately, most female athletes just don’t get to say that. Other sports need to take notes from pickleball,” she concluded.

Ignatowich summed it up perfectly. While she found the ad upsetting for valid reasons, she also pointed to what she sees as a positive contrast in her own sport, feeling a sense of equal opportunity and respect as an athlete. Her perspective, and her confidence in saying she feels just as valued as her male counterparts, is something the pro pickleball community can take pride in.

It’s especially meaningful, as a woman, to see the face of pickleball represented by another woman. Anna Leigh Waters—pickleball’s first Nike-signed pro and the first athlete from the sport to attend the ESPYs—is helping grow the game through her performance on court, not her looks.

One of the most unique aspects of pickleball is its balance: participation and viewership are close to a 50/50 split between men and women. Unlike many major sports leagues, it doesn’t skew heavily toward one gender in terms of audience, coverage, or attention. From broadcast presentation to prize money, there’s a level of parity that remains rare in professional sports.

That’s why it’s frustrating that women in sports still so often feel the need to prove their worth. And it’s disheartening when those outside the game diminish the work and dedication of female athletes who are competing at the highest level.

Still, as Ignatowich noted, moments like these ultimately reinforce pride in being part of pickleball and the inclusive culture the sport continues to build.

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Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud are joining forces in Arizona — and Adam Stone and Jimmy Miller break down what the new partnership could mean for the rest of the men's doubles field.

The guys also recap a brutally hot PPA Tour stop in North Carolina, including JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson's huge upset over Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters, before turning their attention to the Veolia Arizona Open.

Plus: Anna Leigh Waters sits out women's doubles, leaving a wide-open bracket; the new WPR rankings create some strange draws and bye situations; Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu switch sides; and Adam gives his percentages across men's doubles, women's doubles, mixed doubles, and singles.

In this episode:

• Ben Johns & Federico Staksrud's new partnership
• JW & Jorja Johnson upset Ben & Anna Leigh
• Why Anna Leigh isn't playing women's doubles
• The wide-open Arizona women's doubles draw
• How the new WPR rankings are changing PPA brackets
• Alshon & Daescu switch sides
• The men's singles "Big Three"
• Can anyone challenge Anna Leigh in women's singles?
• Adam's Arizona title percentages