Top 5 Pickleball Points of 2024 (So Far)
Last Edited
Aug 15 2024
Category
News
Pickleball highlights in 2024 have set the bar high. We've watched and posted some jaw-dropping points this year which show off the sport's energy and athleticism.
The following rallies are some of our favorites we've seen, each showcasing the strategy and physicality of the game:
Fed's Year
Let's start things off with this incredible singles point in which Federico Staksrud (closest to camera) plays cat-and-mouse and steps away victorious.
What a year it's been for Fed - but it's no surprise when you see performances like this.
Not Just Fancy Footwork
Is it just me, or does everyone move with impeccable fluidity in this point?
It's hypnotizing the way the front two players weave in and out of each other's path as they pursue the ball with perfect efficiency.
No, Julian Arnold (front male player) is NOT "ball hogging." He knows when to let his partner take the shot, and she knows how to track, where to mix it up, and when to put it away.
Perfect pickleball, folks.
How to Beat the GOATs
When the ultimate doubles partnership falls, you know we’ve gotta post a highlight from the match. In this case: ALW & Ben Johns vs. Anna Bright & Andrei Daescu, shown here making some impressive returns.
The winning pair was on fire that day. Even when they were on the defensive, they doggedly pursued resets to shape the course of the point.
What’s the key to winning a point like this? Look and respond. If the ball is popped up, your paddle goes down, and you quickly shuffle back a bit to give you more time to return the speedup that’s coming.
Read more about how Bright & Daescu pulled a win over the GOATs here.
Still at the Top
This may look like your average pickleball point, but it so much more. It is a masterclass in shot selection and court awareness.
- Ben uses the entire court to perfection when deciding where to hit the ball.
- He goes right, then middle, then left.
- He creates space and forces his opponent back.
- He’s constantly keeping his opponent off-balance, eventually creating a hole to attack.
Ben Johns' record did start slipping this year. But all-in-all, it's points like this why demonstrate why he’s still the greatest men’s pickleball player on the planet.
The Best Hands Battle
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It takes a lot to come back from the brink when you're facing down the Johns Bros.
But JW Johnson & Augie Ge did it at MLP Salt Lake City, and this point basically sums up the match (& everything we love about this sport).
Yeah, the patience and reset capability is unreal. But let's call a spade a spade: this is the best hands battle of the year.
Bonus: Recreational Pickleball Highlights
The Future of Pickleball is Bright
Our jaws hit the floor when we first watched this point. If these pre-teens are already THIS advanced, we can't wait for them to show up on the main stage in a few years.
Somebody get these kids a scholarship and an apprenticeship under Ben & ALW.
Why Can't MY Rec Play Look Like This?
Usually, we'll clip a random rec play point because it features an almost-accidental feat of pickleball awesomeness; something the player couldn't do again if they tried.
But nothing like that happened here. Everything awesome in this point seems VERY intentional.
Well done, players. If this is your rec play, we'd hate to cross you in a tournament.
Do you have an incredible pickleball highlight to share? Send it here.
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