PPA World No. 1 Men's Singles: Every Player Ranked

In February of 2020, the PPA crowned its first ever No. 1 pro singles player: Ben Johns.

For the six years following, only two other players earned the title, until this week, when a new name rose to the top.

In 320 total weeks, only four players have held the distinction of being the PPA world No. 1 men's singles player. And although Ben Johns, the undisputed GOAT of pickleball, has held the honor for almost 70% of those weeks, times are changing.

So starting with our newest singles champ, Chris Haworth, let’s dive into the PPA’s young history of top male singles players. (For a more in-depth look at the subject, check out Todd Boss' article in Forbes.)

Chris Haworth Becomes the Newest PPA World No. 1 Men's Singles Player

Chris Haworth: 3/30/26 - Present

Early April 2026, the greater pickleball community saw the changing of the guard, as 32-year-old Haworth earned the top spot following a win at the PPA Greater Zion Cup.

Haworth leapfrogged previous world No. 1 Hunter Johnson and Federico Staksrud, whom Haworth beat 11-9, 11-5 in the final.

"I came in with not a ton of expectations. I knew I could play at a great level, but everyone out here is really good," Haworth said after his triumph.

"I just tried to put my head down, work hard every day, and here I am."

Haworth was flawless, not dropping a single game across six matches en route to the title. He earned 1,500 points for his efforts, catapulting him to 13,600 total points in singles play.

Haworth's victory in Utah completed a stunning ascent. Having only signed with the PPA tour in July of 2025, Haworth climbed the ranks in just nine months.

Once a tennis prodigy, Chris Haworth is now singularly focused on being the best pickleball player in the world. And through nine months on tour, he's made a strong case.

Hunter Johnson: How Long Did He Hold the PPA No. 1 Men's Singles Ranking?

Hunter Johnson: 8/31/2025 - 3/30/2026

Prior to Haworth's desert performance, Hunter had firmly held the No. 1 spot for seven months after earning silver at the Las Vegas Open late last summer.

But last week was one to forget for the former No. 1. Johnson lost to now-No. 34 ranked JW Johnson in the Round of 32, 11-8, 11-8.

Johnson didn't just fall back one spot. He fell all the way to No. 3 as Haworth and former No. 1 Federico Staksrud capitalized.

But for Johnson, it is not time to panic yet. Only 700 points separate him from the No. 1 spot while Christian Alshon, the No. 4 singles player, is 3,350 points off third place.

The margin at the top of the PPA world No. 1 men's singles race is razor-thin right now, and that's good for everyone watching.

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Federico Staksrud and the Most Dominant PPA Men's Singles Season on Record

Federico Staksrud: 6/9/2024 - 8/31/2025

In his second stint as the PPA world No. 1 men's singles player, Staksrud held the top spot for more than a year. Although asterisked by the absence of Ben Johns for several months of his reign, Staksrud's dominance in 2024 is still hard to ignore.

The now 30-year-old Argentine medaled in 21 of the 24 events in 2024, including 9 Gold Medals. At one point, Federico Staksrud rose to No. 1 in men's doubles simultaneously, cementing his place as the most complete player in the game.

Staksrud's 2024 season stands as one of the most statistically dominant runs in PPA history. Nine golds across a single season is a number that speaks for itself

Ben Johns' Brief Return to the PPA World No. 1 Men's Singles Throne

Ben Johns: 5/19/2024 - 6/9/2024

After leading from the front for years, this stint at the top was short lived for Johns. After beating Staksrud at the 2024 Atlanta Slam, Johns returned to No. 1 for about three weeks.

Today, Johns' singles ranking has fallen to No. 13, but sitting at No. 1 in men's and mixed doubles, he surely won't have too many quarrels. Some analysts have already declared that Ben Johns won't win another PPA singles title, a debate that's only getting louder.

Is he still the GOAT? Almost certainly. Is the singles throne his again? That's a much harder argument to make.

Federico Staksrud First to Dethrone a Dominant PPA No. 1 Men's Singles King

Federico Staksrud: 4/18/2024 - 5/19/2024

After Ben Johns ran a one-horse race for years, Staksrud was the first to dethrone the king. This was a turning point for the sport, but also for Staksrud, who firmly established himself as one of pickleball's best, and not just in doubles.

Although No. 2 in the world currently in men's singles, Staksrud is No. 7 in mixed doubles and No. 8 in men's doubles. The global pickleball rankings continue to reflect just how versatile and dangerous he remains across every discipline.

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Ben Johns: The Original and Longest-Reigning PPA World No. 1 Men's Singles Player

Ben Johns: 2/16/2020 - 4/18/2024

As the PPA's first ever No. 1 pro singles player, Johns carried the torch for a miraculous 217 weeks after wins at the 2019 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships and the PPA Mesa Grand Slam Qualifier in 2020, both over Tyson McGuffin.

Thereafter, Johns won the first 13 pro singles competitions on tour to easily separate himself from the pack for more than four years. Ben Johns and Tyson McGuffin were described as "like Justin Bieber walking around" at overseas events, a testament to how dominant and recognizable pickleball's first superstar had become.

No player in PPA history has come close to replicating what Johns built over those four-plus years. That record may never be broken.

What the Future Holds for the PPA World No. 1 Men's Singles Title

The question now becomes whether Haworth can hold the crown for an extended time or if it'll change hands between the top dogs more frequently.

Zane and Nico discuss on this week's PicklePod. Check it out below.

According to CBS Sports' coverage of professional pickleball's explosive growth, the PPA tour has become the premier proving ground for the world's top singles talent. The competition at the top has never been fiercer, and Haworth's rise is proof that the era of one-man dominance may be over.

ESPN's reporting on pickleball's surge in professional competition shows just how quickly the depth of the pro field has improved. The days when one player could win 13 straight events are almost certainly gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the current PPA world No. 1 men's singles player?

Chris Haworth is the current PPA world No. 1 men's singles player as of March 30, 2026, following his win at the PPA Greater Zion Cup. He went undefeated through six matches without dropping a single game.

How long did Ben Johns hold the PPA No. 1 men's singles ranking?

Ben Johns held the PPA world No. 1 men's singles ranking for 217 consecutive weeks, from February 2020 through April 2024. That stretch remains the longest reign of any player in PPA singles history.

How many players have been ranked No. 1 in PPA men's singles?

Only four players have ever been ranked No. 1 in PPA men's singles: Ben Johns, Federico Staksrud, Hunter Johnson, and Chris Haworth. The list is short because the sport's professional history only stretches back to 2020.

How did Chris Haworth rise to become PPA world No. 1 so quickly?

Haworth signed with the PPA tour in July 2025 and reached the No. 1 men's singles ranking in just nine months. A former elite-level tennis player, Haworth's transition to professional pickleball has been one of the fastest ascents in the sport's history.

Is Ben Johns still considered the best pickleball player despite losing the No. 1 singles ranking?

Ben Johns remains widely considered the GOAT of pickleball, even with his singles ranking having dropped to No. 13. He currently holds the No. 1 ranking in both men's doubles and mixed doubles, showing his overall dominance across the sport is far from finished.