Upsets and Triumphs: Bristol Open Shakes Up Pro Pickleball Scene

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) made history with its first-ever event in Bristol, Tennessee, the IMG Hotels & Resorts 2024 Bristol Open. The tournament was filled with excitement and surprises, especially in the singles and doubles competitions. Ben Johns claimed the Men’s Pro Singles gold, continuing his dominance over Federico Staksrud. Meanwhile, in the Women's Pro Singles, Brooke Buckner secured her spot at the top by overcoming Kaitlyn Christian. The Men's Pro Doubles final saw Quang Duong earn his first PPA gold alongside Christian Alshon, defeating the Johns brothers. In Women’s Pro Doubles, the unstoppable duo of Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau triumphed once again. As the PPA season heats up, the tour prepares to move on to Salt Lake City for another thrilling weekend of pickleball action.

The Men’s Pro Singles event was marked by numerous upsets, with unseeded players making deep runs, only to see the top seeds reclaim control by the semifinals. Ben Johns proved his mastery yet again in his final against Staksrud. On the Women’s side, Alia Brown made headlines as the top seed due to Anna Leigh Waters’ withdrawal, but it was Brooke Buckner who shone in the finals with a dramatic comeback against Kaitlyn Christian.

In Mixed Pro Doubles, the dominant pairing of Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters secured their sixth straight title, showing no signs of slowing down. On the Men’s Pro Doubles side, the new team of Duong and Alshon disrupted the standings, leaving the Johns brothers searching for answers after their sixth consecutive tournament without a win. For the Women’s Pro Doubles, the familiar dominance of Waters and Parenteau continued, solidifying their status as the top team in the PPA.