Best matches of 2023 to rewatch
DALLAS, TX - It’s hard to imagine that we’re just two weeks away from beginning the 2024 pickleball season.
It’s a good thing, too, because December isn’t a great month for pickleball spectators. Even though there’s a plethora of other sports going on, the only pro pickleball we’ve had since the MLP Playoffs in San Clemente has been Tuesday Night Pickleball once a week.
Going five weeks with so few new pro matches to enjoy can be difficult for some of the sport’s most diehard fans.
We’re lucky, then, that over 10,000 (closer to 10,400—yes, I counted) pro level pickleball matches were played across the PPA, MLP and APP leagues in 2023, leaving us with a multitude of matches to relive as we wait for more memorable matches in the new year.
In all honesty, there are dozens of matches from that are worthy of rewatching, and even more that weren’t played on televised courts. That being said, I’ve limited this list to just three matches per event, in no particular order.
Without further ado, here are some of the best pickleball matches of 2023 to rewatch as we prepare for a fresh campaign.
Women’s Doubles
Andrea Koop/Maggie Brascia v. Anna Leigh Waters/Lea Jansen
MLP Daytona, Semifinals
Mary Brascia/Maggie Brascia v. Anna Bright/Jade Kawamoto
Nationals, Semifinals
Meghan Dizon/Etta Wright v. Allyce Jones/Lea Jansen
PPA Red Rock Open, Finals
Men’s Doubles
Tyson McGuffin/James Ignatowich v. Riley Newman/AJ Koller
Vulcan Tournament of Champions, Finals
Ben Johns/Collin Johns v. JW Johnson/Dylan Frazier
PPA Las Vegas, Finals
JW Johnson/Dylan Frazier v. Andrei Daescu/Rob Nunnery
Lone Palm Pro Player Showcase, Finals
Mixed Doubles
Anna Bright/Riley Newman v. Jorja Johnson/JW Johnson
PPA Arizona Grand Slam, Finals
Parris Todd/Hunter Johnson v. Simone Jardim/Kyle Yates
US Open, Finals
Jade Kawamoto/Riley Newman v. Anna Bright/Andrei Daescu
MLP Dallas, Finals (match starts at 58:00)
Women’s Singles
Anna Leigh Waters v. Lea Jansen
Selkirk Texas Open, Finals
US Open, Finals
Anna Leigh Waters v. Catherine Parenteau
Nationals, Finals
Men’s Singles
Federico Staksrud v. Ben Johns
PPA Cincinnati, Finals
Connor Garnett v. Federico Staksrud
Vulcan Tournament of Champions, Semifinals
PPA Finals
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