The Best Dressed Pros at the PPA Newport Beach Open
The professional pickleball tour made its way to Newport Beach, California, bringing with it not just exceptional athletic performances but also a showcase of court fashion that turned heads throughout the weekend. The coastal setting provided the perfect backdrop for players to express their personal style while competing at the highest level, and many took full advantage of the opportunity to make bold fashion statements alongside their athletic prowess.
Fashion in professional pickleball has evolved significantly over the past few years, moving beyond simple athletic wear to become an integral part of player identity and brand presence. As the sport continues to grow and attract larger audiences both in person and through digital platforms, what athletes wear on court has become increasingly important. The PPA Newport Beach Open exemplified this trend, with players carefully selecting outfits that balanced performance requirements with aesthetic appeal, creating looks that resonated with fans and fellow competitors alike.
The Southern California sunshine and oceanside atmosphere at Newport Beach created an ideal environment for vibrant colors and fresh styling choices. Unlike indoor tournaments or events in less temperate climates, the outdoor setting allowed players to embrace lighter fabrics, bolder color palettes, and styles that captured the relaxed yet sophisticated vibe of the coastal location. This particular tournament became a masterclass in how professional athletes can maintain peak performance while looking exceptional, proving that function and fashion need not be mutually exclusive in competitive sports.
Anna Leigh Waters: Bold Purple Perfection
Anna Leigh Waters, one of the sport’s brightest young stars, made a striking appearance in a coordinated sapphire purple ensemble from Nike that immediately caught attention. She wore the Nike Victory Women’s Dri-FIT Short Sleeve Tennis Top paired with the matching Nike Victory Women’s Dri-FIT Flouncy Tennis Skirt, creating a cohesive look that felt both athletic and fashion-forward.
The sapphire purple color choice was particularly inspired, as it provided excellent visibility on court while capturing the vibrant energy that Southern California is known for. The shade stood out beautifully against the outdoor courts and blue skies of Newport Beach, creating a visual impact that translated well both for spectators in attendance and viewers watching through broadcasts and social media. This type of bold color selection demonstrates Waters’ confidence not just in her game but in her personal brand identity.
The Nike Victory line is specifically designed for tennis and has been adopted by many pickleball professionals due to its technical features that support high-level athletic performance. The Dri-FIT technology wicks away moisture, keeping players cool and dry during intense rallies and long matches. The flouncy skirt design adds a feminine touch while maintaining complete freedom of movement, which is essential for the quick directional changes and dynamic movements that pickleball demands. Waters’ choice to wear this coordinated set showed an understanding of how to blend technical performance needs with strong visual presentation.
What made this outfit particularly noteworthy was how it reflected Waters’ position as one of the sport’s most marketable athletes. At her age, she has already established herself as a trendsetter in pickleball fashion, and her clothing choices are closely watched by fans and recreational players who often seek to emulate her style. The bright purple ensemble was memorable enough to inspire conversations and social media posts, yet professional enough to maintain the serious competitive atmosphere that championship-level pickleball demands.
Chris Haworth: Contemporary Fade Aesthetic
Chris Haworth earned recognition for his fashion choices for the second consecutive week, this time wearing an outfit from On that showcased a modern graphic fade design. He selected the Court-T Fade shirt paired with the matching 5″ Court Shorts Fade, creating a coordinated look that drew inspiration from tennis star Ben Shelton’s style.
The fade design element in this outfit added a contemporary artistic dimension that elevated it beyond standard athletic wear. The gradual color transition created visual interest and depth, making the outfit dynamic and engaging to look at. This type of design has become increasingly popular in athletic apparel as brands recognize that today’s athletes want clothing that performs exceptionally while also making a statement. The fade pattern catches light differently depending on movement and angle, creating a subtle shimmer effect during play that adds visual appeal without being distracting.
On, the Swiss performance brand, has made significant inroads into pickleball despite being better known for running shoes and general athletic wear. Their court-specific line demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting racquet sports, and seeing professionals like Haworth wearing their products on tour helps establish the brand’s credibility within the pickleball community. The technical construction of these pieces includes moisture management, strategic ventilation, and fabrics that maintain their shape and color even after repeated washing and intense use.
Haworth’s decision to draw inspiration from Ben Shelton shows the interesting crossover between tennis and pickleball fashion. Many pickleball players and brands look to tennis for style inspiration, as tennis has a much longer history of fashion-forward athletic wear. By adapting these influences to pickleball, players like Haworth help establish the sport’s own fashion identity while acknowledging its roots and connections to tennis. The fact that he made best-dressed lists two weeks in a row also speaks to his consistency in making thoughtful clothing choices that enhance his on-court presence.
Lingwei Kong: Nautical Elegance
Lingwei Kong presented multiple outstanding outfits throughout the tournament weekend, making the selection process genuinely difficult for fashion observers. Her standout look featured the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Sea You There High Cropped Tank, which showcased classic nautical stripes in a rich navy colorway that perfectly complemented the coastal Newport Beach setting.
The nautical theme was an inspired choice for this particular tournament location. Newport Beach is renowned for its maritime culture, yacht clubs, and beach lifestyle, making the striped pattern feel contextually appropriate while maintaining athletic functionality. Kong’s ability to select an outfit that resonated with the tournament’s geographic location demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of how fashion can create narrative and connection beyond pure aesthetics. The stripes were neither too bold nor too subtle, striking a balance that made the outfit interesting without being overwhelming.
Beyond Yoga as a brand focuses on creating versatile pieces that transition seamlessly from athletic activities to casual wear, and their Spacedye fabric technology has become particularly popular among athletes. The fabric features a subtle heathered effect that adds texture and visual interest while maintaining excellent stretch, recovery, and moisture-wicking properties. For pickleball players, this means clothing that moves naturally with the body during play while maintaining structure and shape throughout long tournament days.
The high cropped tank style has become increasingly popular in women’s pickleball fashion, offering coverage and support while allowing for maximum range of motion in the shoulders and arms. This silhouette is particularly flattering and functional for pickleball, where overhead shots and reaching movements are constant. Kong’s styling choices throughout the week showed versatility and creativity, rotating through different looks while maintaining a cohesive personal aesthetic. Her commitment to thoughtful outfit selection has made her a player to watch not just for athletic performance but also for fashion inspiration.
Ting Chieh Wei: Coordinated Boldness
Jamie Wei made a powerful visual statement by wearing the Tokyo Tank Dress in Real Red from 11-Nil, creating a perfectly coordinated look with her partner Allyce Jones. The vibrant red dress commanded attention on court, demonstrating how color coordination between doubles partners can create a unified team identity while making a bold fashion statement.
The Tokyo Tank Dress style represents a growing trend in pickleball toward dress-style garments that combine the coverage and femininity of a dress with the athletic functionality needed for competitive play. This particular piece features a sleek cut that flatters the figure while incorporating technical fabrics and construction details that prevent restriction during movement. The tank-style top provides excellent range of motion for serving and overhead shots, while the attached skirt portion offers coverage and style without adding bulk or weight.
The choice of Real Red as a color was particularly striking and confident. Red is psychologically associated with power, energy, and determination—qualities that translate well to competitive athletics. When both partners in a doubles team wear the same outfit, it creates a visual unity that can be intimidating to opponents while fostering a sense of team cohesion and shared identity. This coordination requires planning and communication between partners, showing attention to detail that often extends to their on-court strategy and partnership dynamics.
11-Nil as a brand has positioned itself specifically within the pickleball and tennis markets, understanding the unique needs of racquet sports athletes. Their designs tend to favor bold colors and modern silhouettes that appeal to players who want to stand out on court. The Tokyo Tank Dress exemplifies this approach, offering something distinctive that separates itself from more traditional tennis-inspired pickleball wear. Wei’s selection of this piece demonstrated confidence in her personal style and a willingness to embrace bold fashion choices that match her competitive intensity.
JW Johnson: Coordinated Cool
JW Johnson showcased excellent coordination with his partner Jorja by selecting the Ventilated Sleeveless Tennis Shirt from Lululemon, which matched Jorja’s skirt while incorporating subtle green accents. He completed the look with the License to Train Linerless 7″ Shorts in a coordinating blue shade, creating a cohesive yet individualized appearance.
The sleeveless shirt style has become increasingly popular among male pickleball professionals, offering maximum ventilation and range of motion during play. The ventilated construction provides strategic airflow exactly where it’s needed most, helping regulate body temperature during intense matches in warm conditions. Newport Beach’s sunny weather made this a particularly practical choice, demonstrating that Johnson’s fashion decisions are grounded in functional considerations as much as aesthetic ones.
Lululemon has become one of the most prominent brands in professional pickleball, with numerous top players wearing their products during competition. The brand’s commitment to technical innovation and quality construction has made their pieces favorites among athletes who demand the highest performance standards. The License to Train shorts feature a linerless design that many players prefer for its comfort and natural feel, while the 7-inch inseam provides coverage without restricting leg movement during lunges and quick direction changes.
Both JW and Jorja were also wearing performance eyewear from Pilla, a brand that has gained significant traction among PPA Tour professionals. The sunglasses serve both protective and performance-enhancing functions, reducing glare and optimizing visual clarity in various lighting conditions. The addition of quality eyewear to a coordinated outfit demonstrates the complete approach that top professionals take to their on-court appearance, considering every element from head to toe.
Jorja Johnson and Tyra Hurricane Black: Burgundy Bay Coordination
Jorja Johnson and Tyra Hurricane Black created one of the tournament’s most visually cohesive partnership looks by both wearing Lululemon’s Burgundy Bay colorway. Both players selected the lululemon Align High-Rise Skirt as their foundation piece, then personalized their looks with different tops that showcased their individual styles while maintaining team unity.
