PPA CIBC Texas Open 2025 [Results, Stats, Controversies, Videos]
The 2025 CIBC Texas Open brought the heat to Dallas, with massive upsets, wild wind conditions, and breakout performances shaking up the PPA Tour rankings. Ben Johns’ shocking early exit, the dominance of Christian Alshon, and yet another Triple Crown for Anna Leigh Waters were just a few of the storylines that had pickleball fans buzzing.
With record-breaking attendance at the Courts of McKinney, and the debut of new instant replay technology, the Texas Open cemented itself as one of the most dramatic and unpredictable stops on the 2025 PPA calendar.
And 11 PICKLES was there for all of it. From epic rallies to off-court drama, we’ve got the biggest headlines, expert analysis, and key takeaways from one of the most talked-about tournaments of the year.
Let’s get into everything that went down at the CIBC Texas Open 2025.
PPA CIBC Texas Open 2025: Final Results
Championship Sunday delivered high-intensity matchups and a few major surprises. Here’s how the medals stacked up:
Men’s Doubles
- 🥇 Ben Johns & Gabriel Tardio def. Christian Alshon & Federico Staksrud (11-1, 10-12, 7-11, 11-7, 11-4)
- 🥉 Andrei Daescu & Dylan Frazier
Women’s Doubles
- 🥇 Tyra Black & Parris Todd def. Callie Smith & Etta Tuionetoa (11-5, 11-5, 11-4)
- 🥉 Rachel Rohrabacher & Anna Bright
Mixed Doubles
- 🥇 Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johns def. Jorja Johnson & JW Johnson (11-4, 11-3, 14-12)
- 🥉 Anna Bright & Hayden Patriquin
Biggest Upsets & Storylines
The 2025 CIBC Texas Open delivered one of the wildest, most unpredictable tournaments in PPA history. With high winds, shocking upsets, and rising stars making their mark, the Courts of McKinney became the battleground for some of the most intense and controversial matches of the season.
The biggest shockwave came when Ben Johns was eliminated in the Round of 16, marking his earliest singles exit in years. Meanwhile, Christian Alshon cemented his dominance, Anna Leigh Waters completed yet another Triple Crown, and Tyra Black & Parris Todd shook up the women’s doubles scene with a flawless run to gold.
From dramatic comebacks to officiating controversies, the Texas Open had it all. Let’s dive into the game-changing moments that defined the tournament.
Zane Ford Stuns Ben Johns – The End of an Era?
For the first time in years, Ben Johns failed to reach the semifinals in singles. And the player who sent him home? 17th-seeded Zane Ford, a rising star with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
In a match that felt like a passing of the torch, Ford played with fearless aggression, using fast-paced drives and pinpoint passing shots to take down Johns 11-8, 7-11, 11-3.
Johns, known for his ability to outlast opponents with surgical precision, struggled to find his rhythm against Ford’s relentless attack. By the time the match ended, Ford had made history—becoming the youngest player ever to defeat Johns in a PPA singles match.
While Johns brushed off the loss, calling it a “bad day at the office,” Ford’s performance raised a bigger question—is the next generation officially here?
Christian Alshon Claims Back-to-Back Titles
With Ben Johns out of the picture, the door was open for Christian Alshon to take control. And he did just that.
Alshon, already riding high after winning the Cape Coral Open, proved his singles dominance by defeating Federico Staksrud 11-4, 11-7 in the final.
From the start, Alshon dictated play, blending power, finesse, and strategic aggression. His trademark tweeners, fearless drives, and sharp angles kept Staksrud on defense, never allowing him to build momentum.
With two consecutive PPA titles, Alshon has solidified himself as a serious threat for the No. 1 ranking. Is he the new face of men’s singles?
Anna Leigh Waters Completes Another Triple Crown
It wouldn’t be a PPA tournament without Anna Leigh Waters making history.
In singles, doubles, and mixed, Waters showed why she’s still the most dominant female player in pickleball.
Her toughest test came in the women’s singles final against Kate Fahey, where she took the first game easily (11-4) but found herself in deep trouble in game two.
Fahey, playing with nothing to lose, mounted an incredible comeback, saving multiple match points and even earning a game point at 11-10.
But Waters, as always, found another level. With a series of clutch passing shots and laser-focused execution, she closed it out 15-13, securing her 25th career Triple Crown.
With every tournament, the question remains: Can anyone stop her?
Ben Johns & Gabriel Tardio Fight Back to Win Men’s Doubles Gold
While Ben Johns suffered in singles, he bounced back in doubles, proving why he’s still the best in the world with a paddle in his hand.
Teaming up with Gabriel Tardio for the first time, the duo fought through a grueling five-game final against Christian Alshon & Federico Staksrud.
After dropping games two and three, Johns and Tardio adjusted their strategy, tightening their net play and defensive coverage.
Their comeback was nothing short of masterful, winning the final two games 11-7, 11-4 to secure the title.
Could Tardio be Ben’s new long-term partner?
Women’s Doubles Sees a Changing of the Guard
For the first time in over a year, a women’s doubles final did not feature Anna Leigh Waters & Catherine Parenteau.
Instead, it was Tyra Black & Parris Todd who stole the spotlight, tearing through the bracket without dropping a single game.
Their final against Callie Smith & Etta Tuionetoa was a statement win—11-5, 11-5, 11-4—proving that their blend of aggressive net play and strategic precision is a force to be reckoned with.
With this win, Black & Todd may have officially broken into the elite tier of women’s doubles.
Is this the start of a new rivalry at the top?
Jorja & JW Johnson Push Waters/Johns to the Brink in Mixed Doubles Final
The siblings vs. champions storyline delivered a thrilling mixed doubles final, with Jorja & JW Johnson coming inches away from an upset.
Down two match points in game three, the Johnsons saved four in total, even earning a game point of their own.
But Anna Leigh Waters & Ben Johns showed their championship pedigree, pulling off a clutch 14-12 win to claim another gold medal.
The Johnson siblings keep getting closer to taking down the world’s best duo—will the next tournament be their breakthrough moment?
Texas Wind & Controversial Line Calls Create Chaos
The Texas Open wasn’t just a battle between players—it was a battle against the elements.
With gusts reaching 40 mph, players struggled to control their shots, leading to awkward mis-hits, lob errors, and unpredictable bounces.
The conditions were so brutal that Anna Leigh Waters even asked the referee to suspend play during her doubles match—a request that was denied.
Adding to the drama, a high-profile line call in the women’s singles quarterfinal sparked major controversy. The call was initially upheld by video review, but in a shocking move, head referee Don Stanley overturned it. The decision ignited frustration from players and fans, questioning whether the new instant replay system was truly reliable.
With the PPA still refining its officiating technology, could this controversy force changes to how calls are handled in the future?
Texas Open By The Numbers
- 15,000+ fans attended – one of the biggest crowds in PPA Tour history.
- $350,000 in prize money awarded
- Zane Ford becomes the youngest player ever to defeat Ben Johns in a PPA singles match
- Christian Alshon wins his second straight PPA singles title
- Anna Leigh Waters captures her 25th career Triple Crown
- Tyra Black & Parris Todd dominate, not dropping a single game in women’s doubles
- Winds reached up to 40 mph, creating one of the toughest playing conditions of the season
- Major officiating controversy as PPA’s new replay system faces scrutiny
What’s Next?
The Texas Open proved that the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable yet. With Ben Johns falling in singles, Christian Alshon continuing his rise, and new partnerships emerging as serious threats, the competition is tighter than ever.
And 11 PICKLES is here for all of it. As the season heats up, stay tuned for breaking news, player interviews, and in-depth analysis on the biggest moments in pickleball.
Next stop: The PPA Red Rock Open (March 27-30). Will Alshon continue his hot streak? Can Zane Ford prove his upset wasn’t a fluke? Will Anna Leigh Waters ever lose?
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