In a recent analysis of the Toys “R” Us PPA Finals in San Clemente, pro pickleball player Zane Navratil addresses what he calls the tour’s “biggest problem”: the unprecedented dominance of top seeds that often leads to predictable “rerun” finishes. While the level of play has never been higher, the lack of parity is becoming a hurdle for fan engagement.

The Problem: Predictability at the Top

The season-ending finals saw a clean sweep by the #1 seeds. Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio dominated men’s doubles, while Anna Leigh Waters (ALW) and Anna Bright ended their season undefeated [00:11]. In singles, ALW’s dominance is so absolute that she hasn’t lost a match in over two years [02:40].

While their skill is undeniable, Navratil argues that seeing the same matchups every Championship Sunday lacks the “must-watch” excitement the sport needs to grow.

Zane’s Proposed Solution: The “Mix-Up” Format

To inject fresh energy into the Tour Finals, Navratil proposes a radical shift in how teams are formed for the end-of-year event. Instead of players choosing their usual season-long partners, the format would force new pairings based on rankings.

The Draft Proposal:

• The #1 seed (e.g., Ben Johns) would not be allowed to pick anyone from the top 8.
• Instead, they must choose a partner ranked between #9 and #16 [07:14].
• This creates unique “Power Duos” we never see during the regular season.

Hypothetical “Dream” Pairings:

• Men’s Doubles: Ben Johns + Dylan Frazier or Gabe Tardio + Erik Lange [07:20].
• Women’s Doubles: ALW + Meghan Dizon or Anna Bright + Kate Fahey [07:34].
• Mixed Doubles: Ben Johns + Rachel Rohrabacher or ALW + Andre Daescu [07:48].

Increasing the Stakes

Beyond just changing the players, the article suggests that the “Finals” should actually feel like a finale:

1. More Points: The current 1,000 ranking points aren’t enough to distinguish it from other major events [06:36].
2. Higher Purses: Increased prize money would ensure every player—even those mathematically eliminated in round-robin play—remains competitive until the end.
3. Fan Engagement: Introducing a Fan Favorite team or a Wildcard slot for rising stars would allow the community to have a voice in the season’s biggest stage [08:26].

Conclusion

As pickleball continues its rapid growth, the PPA Tour faces the challenge of balancing elite-level consistency with entertaining variety. By adopting a format that highlights new partnerships and increases the stakes, the PPA Finals could transform from a predictable recap into the most anticipated event on the calendar.