Pickleball records & milestones

Pickleball invented

Invented on Bainbridge Island, Washington in summer 1965; Pickle Ball Inc. incorporated Feb 13, 1968. · source

Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell & Barney McCallum

1965 · 1965

PPA Tour founded

Top professional pickleball tour, founded by Connor Pardoe in 2019; inaugural tournament held early 2020. · source

Professional Pickleball Association (Connor Pardoe)

2019 · 2019

First USA Pickleball National Championships

Inaugural USAPA National Tournament held Nov 2-8, 2009 at Sun City Festival in Buckeye, Arizona; drew nearly 400 players from 26 states. · source

USA Pickleball (Buckeye, Arizona)

~400 players, 26 states · 2009

Longest consecutive men's world No. 1 (Guinness World Record)

Ranked No. 1 in men's singles from February 2020 to April 2024 per Guinness World Records. · source

Ben Johns

50 months (4 yrs 2 mo) · 2024

Most career pro titles & triple crowns (men)

Most decorated male pro; held 141 PPA titles by Oct 2024, surpassing 180 gold medals and 21 men's triple crowns by early 2026. · source

Ben Johns

180+ gold medals; 21 triple crowns · 2026

Most career pro titles & triple crowns (women)

Holds the most career gold medals (181) and triple crowns (39) of any pro player; world No. 1 in all three disciplines and overall PPA Tour leader. · source

Anna Leigh Waters

180+ gold medals; 39 triple crowns · 2026

Youngest professional pickleball player

Turned pro at age 12 in 2019, becoming the youngest pro player and champion in the sport's history. · source

Anna Leigh Waters

Age 12 · 2019

Major League Pickleball founded

Team-based pro league founded 2021 (first inaugural event won by BLQK in 2021); regular team play began in 2022. · source

Major League Pickleball

Founded 2021 · 2021

Origin of the name 'pickleball'

Named after the 'pickle boat' of leftover rowers, not the family dog; the dog Pickles came later (1968). · source

Joan Pritchard

1965 · 1965