The 2023 Carvana PPA Tour has been a non-stop highlight reel so far.
After an incredible double triple-crown performance by Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns at the Hyundai Masters last month, the duo claimed two more triple crowns at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Open this past weekend.
Double – Triple 👑👑👑 pic.twitter.com/cbl8TT5iwF
— CARVANA PPA TOUR (@PPAtour) February 5, 2023
Last weekend’s Desert Ridge Open was hosted from February 1st-5th at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, AZ.
The duo started Championship Sunday by dominating in the Mixed Pro Doubles Championship. Although they competed in some close games against the team of Lucy Kovalova and Matt Wright, Johns and Waters went 3-0 in a clean sweep to claim the title.
When Johns and Waters team up on the pickleball court, they are truly a force to be reckoned with. In 2022, the prolific duo won 12 mixed doubles tournaments together.
“It’s been an awesome partnership. We’ve had so many good, fun tournaments together with a lot of great results. It’s so fun to be on the court with her, and I can’t wait for many more.”
Ben Johns on playing with Anna Leigh Waters
Ride or die 👊 pic.twitter.com/PryQ3HLKT0
— CARVANA PPA TOUR (@PPAtour) February 5, 2023
Waters then went on to team up with Catherine Parenteau in the Women’s Pro Doubles Championship. Waters and Parenteau faced the team of Lea Jansen and Allyce Jones, defeating them 3-1 after a close series of matches.
The Men’s Pro Doubles Championship match saw Ben Johns pair up with his brother Collin Johns. They faced another of pro pickleball’s favorite duos: Matt Wright and Riley Newman.
Riley Newman and Ben Johns aren’t new to the PPA championship court, as either of them have been on the winning team of the past 21 PPA Men’s Pro Doubles events. This time, the Johns brothers claimed victory over Wright and Newman, going 3-0.
After Men’s Pro Doubles came the Women’s Pro Singles, where Anna Leigh Waters went head-to-head against her Women’s Doubles partner, Catherine Parenteau.
Waters claimed victory in this close matchup going 2-1 over Parenteau, thus securing her second Triple Crown of the 2023 PPA Tour.
“We had been playing doubles together earlier today, so it was tough to go from being partners to then playing against each other in the final. But I love her, I’m so glad that she got here and that we had an amazing match.”
Anna Leigh Waters on facing Parenteau in the Women’s Pro Singles Championship
The final championship match of the tournament was fought between Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud. Johns and Staksrud went back and forth in this high energy match, but Johns was able to win 2-1, claiming his second Triple Crown this season.
“I’m enjoying every minute of it, I love playing this game. I love competing and I’m really just excited for everything that’s going well for pickleball.”
Ben Johns on his future as a pro pickleball player
The 2023 PPA Tour has now officially started with back-to-back triple crowns for both Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. Expect to see the duo continue to dominate the field in the next PPA event, the Carvana Arizona Grand Slam February 16th-19th.
To stay up-to-date on pro pickleball’s 2023 schedule, be sure to check out our outline of all the major upcoming events for the MLP, APP, and PPA.
