PPA Las Vegas Strip Tournament Recap: Epic Battles and Major Upsets
Tournament Overview
The bright lights of Las Vegas set the stage for an electrifying PPA Tour event at the Las Vegas Convention Center, featuring historic upsets, rising stars, and intense competition that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. For those new to professional pickleball, this tournament represented a significant shift in the competitive landscape, with several established dynasties facing serious challenges from emerging talents.
Breaking the Unbeatable Streak
In what many consider the biggest story of the tournament, the seemingly invincible partnership of Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters faced their first defeat of 2025. The Dallas Flash duo of Hurricane Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson accomplished what many thought impossible, securing a victory with scores of 5-11, 11-6, 11-3 in the semi-finals.
This upset carries significant implications for women’s doubles pickleball:
- It demonstrates that even the most dominant teams can be challenged
- Creates potential for an exciting new rivalry in the sport
- Elevates the overall competitive level of women’s doubles
The Rise of Tardio and Johns
Despite the challenging indoor conditions and low lighting – typically not Ben Johns’ preferred playing environment – the partnership of Tardio and Johns continued their impressive run. Their victory marks their third consecutive tournament win and fifth of 2025, solidifying their position as the team to beat in men’s doubles.
Their performance statistics are remarkable:
- Only one game lost during the entire tournament
- Dominated preliminary matches with an average score of 11-3
- Demonstrated exceptional adaptability to indoor conditions
The Teen Sensation: John Lucian Goins
At just 17 years old, John Lucian Goins secured his second consecutive gold medal in singles, defeating a roster of established professionals. His victory over Hunter Johnson in the finals (11-4, 11-9) showcases the evolving nature of professional pickleball, where young talents are increasingly making their mark.
Mixed Doubles Dominance
Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters continued their remarkable mixed doubles run, securing their fourth consecutive gold medal and eighth of the year. While they faced challenges, losing two games during the tournament, their overall dominance remains clear. This partnership has set a new standard in mixed doubles play, though emerging partnerships are beginning to pose increasingly serious challenges.
Women’s Singles Thriller
The women’s singles final between Kaitlyn Christian and Kate Fahey produced one of the most memorable matches in recent history. The 90-minute battle ended with Christian securing her third gold medal of the year with scores of 9-11, 11-9, 11-9. This match exemplified the growing depth and competitiveness in women’s singles pickleball.
Complete Tournament Results
Women’s Singles
🥇 Kaitlyn Christian
🥈 Kate Fahey
🥉 Brooke Buckner
Men’s Singles
🥇 John Lucian Goins
🥈 Hunter Johnson
🥉 Jaume Martinez Vich
Mixed Doubles
🥇 Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns
🥈 Hurricane Tyra Black/Hayden Patriquin
🥉 Anna Bright/Federico Staksrud
Women’s Doubles
🥇 Jorja Johnson/Hurricane Tyra Black
🥈 Catherine Parenteau/Parris Todd
🥉 Anna Bright/Anna Leigh Waters
Men’s Doubles
🥇 Gabe Tardio/Ben Johns
🥈 Christian Alshon/Andrei Daescu
🥉 Hayden Patriquin/Federico Staksrud
