Can Any Team Challenge Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters at the CIBC PPA Finals?
The CIBC PPA Finals kick off on December 4th, 2024 and feature the top men’s and women’s mixed doubles players on the planet. The interesting twist is that the players do not necessarily qualify as a team. And the rules are that the female player choses their partner for this event.
What this means is that while there are a few regular pairings, many are not. And this makes for some potentially exciting outcomes.
But …here is the reality: Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters are paired up for this event. And they are virtually indestructible as a team. You would have to say that Ben and ALW are hands-down the best mixed doubles pickleball team.
There are, though, three teams with a real chance of rewriting the story at the CIBC Finals and taking home the trophy.
Rachel Rohrabacher/Federico Staksrud
Federico Staksrud is one of the top male players on the tour. And Rachel has emerged as one of the top 4 female players. So, on paper, they have the tools to win.
The question for this team is: who will be the aggressor?
Common wisdom is that the male player is the dominant offensive player in a mixed doubles setting. But for this team, I would suggest that they will be a more potent combination if Rachel plays at least equally aggressive to Federico.
In other words, they would not play the traditional roles where the female player dinks cross court and hopes for a middle ball that is popped up so the male player can attack it. Rather, both Rachel and Federico would be free to attack as they see fit and to poach across the line. If this team plays a balanced offensive game, watch out. They could be the next best pickleball mixed doubles team.
Anna Bright/Gabe Tardio (No. 2 seed)
Anna Bright and Gabe Tardio are the No. 2 overall seed for a reason. Anna is clearly one of the top 4 female players on the tour and Gabe has emerged as one of the top young guns in the game. They have all the weapons to cause any team, including Ben and ALW, lots of trouble.
The question for this team is: how will Gabe play?
Anna is a known quantity. She will reliably do her part.
Gabe is an amazing player and will hit sensational shots. But will he maintain his game level for the entire match? Because to beat Ben and ALW, you need to win not just some rallies. You need to win the entire match as they will not give you any part of it.
Anna has proven herself to be a great on-court general. If Gabe listens to her and then does his amazingness, they will be tough to beat. They could be the final mixed doubles team standing.
Jorja Johnson/JW Johnson
Other than Ben and ALW, the Johnson siblings are the team with the most experience in this draw. And this team has had lots of success, including several meetings against Ben and ALW in gold medal matches.
The question for this team is: what style will they play against Ben and ALW?
JW and Jorja have navigated many draws in the past, only falling in the end against Ben and ALW. But even in those losses, they have shown the ability to push Ben and ALW. And they have done this, primarily, when Jorja is free to attack and create havoc.
Here is why: (1) Jorja is a creative attacker with good hands and put-away power, (2) her brother, JW, has some of the fastest hands in the game as well as an awesome counterattack, and (3) Ben and ALW do not want to play fast, disruptive, pickleball. If Jorja is allowed to do her thing, the Johnson siblings may overcome the one team they have yet to beat at the CIBC PPA Finals. They are ready to be the best mixed doubles team in pickleball.
Other Teams
Every team at the CIBC PPA Finals is amazing and has a shot at the top. If there is a team you will be following, put it in the comments below. And do you think they can topple Ben and ALW from their mixed doubles throne? Let us know.
Follow the action during the CIBC PPA Finals, December 4th – December 8th. The details on how to tune in to all the matches here: PPATour.com.
About the Author: Tony Roig is a professional pickleball coach as well as Senior Pro Player. In his years of playing competitive mixed doubles, he’s picked up a clue or two about the game. You can follow him and the Better Pickleball coaching team at BetterPickleball.com.
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)