PPA Tour Mesa Cup 2025 [Results, Stats, Controversies]

The 2025 Carvana PPA Mesa Cup delivered one of the most dramatic, high-stakes, and record-breaking tournaments in professional pickleball history. Over 18,965 fans packed the Arizona Athletic Grounds, shattering attendance records and proving that pickleball’s growth isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

This event had everything—massive upsets, new rivalries, referee controversies, and a five-game marathon in nearly every final. The undefeated Mixed Doubles dynasty of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters was finally toppled, Men’s Doubles saw a new powerhouse emerge, and the drama on and off the court kept fans on the edge of their seats.

And 11 PICKLES was here for it all. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the sport, we’re your go-to source for the biggest headlines, in-depth breakdowns, and all the tea from the world of pickleball. Let’s dive into everything that went down in Mesa 2025.

PPA Mesa Cup 2025: Final Results

All five pro divisions (Men’s and Women’s Singles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles) crowned their champions on Championship Sunday. Four of the five finals went the distance (either to a third game for singles or fifth game for doubles), underscoring how competitive the field was​.

Men’s Singles

• 🥇 Ben Johns def. Hunter Johnson (12-10, 11-1)
• 🥉 Federico Staksrud def. Connor Garnett (2-11, 11-4, 11-9)

Women’s Singles

• 🥇 Anna Leigh Waters def. Brooke Buckner (4-11, 11-9, 11-5)
• 🥉 Kate Fahey def. Kaitlyn Christian (11-5, 11-3)

Men’s Doubles

• 🥇 Christian Alshon & Andrei Daescu def. Ben Johns & Gabe Tardio (11-5, 11-1, 10-12, 5-11, 11-7)
• 🥉 Pablo Tellez & Dylan Frazier def. Hayden Patriquin & Federico Staksrud (12-10, 10-4)

Women’s Doubles

• 🥇 Catherine Parenteau & Anna Leigh Waters def. Rachel Rohrabacher & Anna Bright (4-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 11-1)

• 🥉 Jorja Johnson & Vivian Glozman def. Lacy Schneemann & Meghan Dizon (11-1, 11-5)

Mixed Doubles

• 🥇Jorja Johnson & JW Johnson def. Anna Bright & Dekel Bar (11-1, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4)
• 🥉 Ben Johns & Anna Leigh Waters def. Federico Staksrud & Catherine Parenteau (11-0, 11-1)

Biggest Upsets & Storylines

If you thought pickleball was predictable, the 2025 Mesa Cup proved otherwise. With reigning champions dethroned, rising stars making their mark, and the crowd on the edge of their seats, this tournament had all the makings of an instant classic. From epic five-game battles to referee controversies, Mesa delivered unforgettable moments that shook up the rankings and set the tone for the rest of the season. Let’s break down the biggest stories from a tournament that redefined the pro circuit.

Johns & Waters Finally Fall in Mixed Doubles

For the first time in nearly 340 days, the seemingly unstoppable mixed doubles duo of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters was defeated. The team that took them down? Anna Bright & Dekel Bar in a thrilling three-game semifinal upset.

Bright is now the only player to have beaten Johns/Waters twice in the last 18 months.

The match ended 12-10, (7-11), 11-9, as Bar/Bright outlasted the top seeds in a battle that had the crowd erupting.

The win opened the door for JW & Jorja Johnson to seize gold, adding their names to the short list of teams who have taken down Johns/Waters.

Alshon & Daescu - The New Kings of Men’s Doubles?

The final between Christian Alshon & Andrei Daescu vs. Ben Johns & Gabe Tardio was one of the best matches of the season so far. After winning two straight titles, Alshon & Daescu are making a strong case as the best team in men’s pickleball right now.

The match went to five games, with Alshon & Daescu clinching gold after a 11-7 decider.

Alshon on his mental approach: “Pickleball is just a part of my life now. Thinking about that really helps me stay calm on the court.”

Now that Ben lost, he's trying out new partners. Andrei Daescu will be teaming up with Ben, debuting their partnership at the Veolia Cape Coral Open.

Anna Leigh Waters Proves She’s Still the Queen

Even though Waters took her first loss in mixed doubles in almost a year, she bounced back hard. The 19-year-old took home two titles—Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles—proving she’s still the best female player in the world.

In singles, Brooke Buckner nearly shocked the world by winning the first game 11-4 and leading 9-4 in game two. But ALW came roaring back to win the match.

In doubles, Waters & Parenteau held off Bright & Rohrabacher in a five-game war, cementing their dominance.

New Pickleball Rules & Controversies

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Targeting Rule - First Fine Nearly Issued

During a Men’s Doubles Round of 16 match, this nearly came into play: at 10-5 in the 3rd game, Hayden Patriquin smashed an overhead toward Wyatt Stone’s shoulder​. The referee Don Stanley initially called a targeting violation, but quickly reversed it upon realizing the ball did not strike above the shoulders​

Patriquin avoided a hefty fine by inches ($2,500) – a dramatic demonstration of the new rule’s teeth. The incident has players on notice that “body-bagging” (hitting opponents with the ball) must be done with care under the updated code​. Read more about the new pickleball targeting rule.

Refereeing Disaster in Staksrud vs. Johnson Match

A major officiating controversy erupted in the Men’s Singles semifinal between Federico Staksrud and Hunter Johnson.

In Game 2, with Johnson holding game point, Staksrud called a shot out. Johnson used a video replay challenge; the replay official upheld Staksrud’s “out” call, seemingly giving Staksrud the game​. However, Johnson then appealed to head referee Don Stanley, who overturned the call and ruled the ball in – awarding Johnson the game and forcing a third game​ This sequence (an overrule after a video review) stunned Staksrud and the crowd. A rattled Staksrud came out in game 3 visibly frustrated and was soon assessed two technical warnings – one for ball abuse (hitting the ball in anger) and one for foul language – costing him a point penalty​.

When Staksrud argued the calls to the referee, he was hit with yet another technical, docking him an additional point​. These penalties effectively spotted Johnson a free 2-point lead in the decider. Johnson went on to win the match, while Staksrud was fuming about the officiating.

‍“It’s really difficult to win if I have to play against Hunter… and I also have to beat the refs,” the Argentinian said afterward. “The refs are literally against me the whole time… I pay the price of being the non-American on the court.”​

His explosive comments highlight lingering concerns over consistency in the PPA’s officiating and video review system. Many observers agreed the line-call handling was chaotic, and this incident has reignited debate on how to improve the replay review process​.

Johns & Waters’ Mixed Doubles Bronze Match - A Joke?

Another minor controversy at Mesa was the lackluster effort in the Mixed Doubles bronze medal match. Normally, PPA bronze matches matter for ranking points and prize money, and most players compete hard for third place. However, in Mesa’s mixed bronze, the two superstar teams – Waters/Johns vs. Parenteau/Staksrud – appeared to “make a mockery” of the match​. Eyewitness accounts (and a circulating Memes of Pickleball Instagram clip) showed players joking around, intentionally missing shots, and generally not taking the game seriously​

It ended in a quick straight-sets win for Waters/Johns (11-0, 11-1)​, but with virtually no real competition. Why play so poorly? The speculation is that neither team wanted to play at all after a long day of tough losses, but PPA rules likely mandate playing or else face a fine for forfeiting a medal match​

Rather than withdraw (as some teams have done in the past), they played it out in farcical fashion – drawing some criticism for poor sportsmanship and raising the question of what’s worse: a no-show for bronze, or a half-hearted exhibition​

The PPA may need to address this scenario, as fans paying to watch expect a real contest for third place. On the bright side, other bronze matches (like the Women’s Singles bronze between Fahey and Christian) were intense battles with full effort​.

Pickleball is Blowing Up – Here’s the Proof

• Mesa Cup attendance: 18,965 fans – more than most NBA and NHL games!
• Ticket revenue: Over $300,000, making it one of the most profitable PPA events ever.
• Social Media Buzz: Viral clips of the Bright/Bar upset & the Staksrud referee drama had millions of views.
• Alshon & Daescu’s winning streak: Now 2-1 against Ben Johns’ teams in 2025.
• Waters/Parenteau vs. Bright/Rohrabacher rivalry: They’ve now met in four straight finals, with Waters/Parenteau winning the last four.

The Future of Pickleball—and 11 PICKLES is Leading the Charge

The 2025 Carvana PPA Mesa Cup wasn’t just another tournament—it was proof that pickleball is reaching new heights, with record-breaking attendance, high-stakes drama, and a level of competition that keeps evolving. With new rivalries heating up, unexpected upsets, and rule changes shaking up the game, this season is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in pro pickleball history.

And 11 PICKLES is here for it all. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual player, or just getting into the sport, we’re your go-to source for in-depth breakdowns, real talk, and all the latest headlines.

Next stop? Cape Coral Open (March 5-9). Stay tuned—11 PICKLES has all the updates.

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