May Australian Pickleball Rankings: Who's on Top?

Pro Men’s Singles

The top 5 men’s singles players didn’t change this month, however, their order in the top 5 did. 

For the first time in 9 months, we have a new Australian number 1 as Mitch Hargreaves has taken the mantle from Tom Evans. Hargreaves has had a terrific start to the year by winning PPA Brisbane, and the NSW Pickleball Championships (not to mention a Triple Crown), whilst also coming away with fourth at PPA Tweed Heads. A clear leader now with 3,400 total AR points. 

Tom Evans, after relocating to the US and being drafted by the MLP Team, Orlando Squeeze, drops to number 2 after not defending points accumulated in 2024. Evan’s journey to the US is something that many Australian players aspire too and we couldn’t be prouder to cheer on our Aussie in the US. 

Coming in at number 3 is Harrison Brown who has had a terrific 9 months. After bursting onto the scene at the 2024 APC, Brown has been consistent across the board, and after a Runner Up finish at PPA Tweed Heads in a stacked field, has cemented himself as the Australian number 3. 

Whilst it has been some time since Andrew Horridge secured an AR title (2024 Queensland Championships AR3 and 2024 WA Singles AR2) you can always guarantee he will make a deep run and it generally takes an inspired opponent to knock him off. Horridge has always been in the top 5 since the rankings came in at the start of 2024, and doesn’t look like moving anywhere soon. 

Rounding out the top 5 is Joseph Wild. Undoubtedly, one of Australia’s best doubles players who had tremendous results on the singles court in 2024 hasn’t found that form in 2025 and has also missed a few singles events in 2025… Perhaps now just saving himself for deep runs in doubles events…

Player’s to watch in the coming months: Kyle Stoker, Matt Kouznetsov and Lucas Pascoe. 

Pro Women’s Singles

It’s no surprise that Somer Dalla-Bona is our undisputed number 1. 

Did you know that the last match that Dalla-Bona lost to an Australian, on home soil, in Women’s Singles, was to Emilia Schmidt at the PPL Brisbane Open, September 2023. Yes, we’re approaching two years since Dalla-Bona has lost a singles match on home soil to an Australian player at an AR tournament. Incredible. 

Dalla-Bona’s closest rival right now and coming in at number 2 is Andie Dikosavljevic. After winning PPA Brisbane and coming in third at PPA Tweed Heads, Dikosavljevic takes a narrow 75 point leader over 2024 APC Champion, Michaela Haet. 

Michaela Haet comes in at number 3 after a Runner Up finish at PPA Tweed Heads to Dalla-Bona. In that final the wind was huge factor, but after taking game one, many people sat up and took notice as Haet was on the edge of an upset. But, not to be that time round. 

Danni-Elle Townsend features in the top 5 for Women’s Singles for the first time. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest improvers on the singles court, Towsend comes in at number four after consistent results at recent NPL events. 

Nicola Schoeman rounds out the top 5 after a promising start to the year taking Runner Up at PPA Brisbane. 

Players to watch: Selina Turulja, Sahra Dennehy and Crystal Mildwaters. 

Pro Men’s Doubles 

The big 3 of men’s doubles in Australia continue to separate themselves from the pack; George Wall coming in at number 1, Joseph Wild coming in at number 2 and Mitch Hargreaves coming in at number 3. Featuring on the podium at nearly every event they play; they’re household names and this doesn’t look like changing anytime soon. 

They’re nearly 2000 points ahead of fourth place Vishal Masand and fifth place, Zac Grabovic. 

Masand’s feature in the top 5 is an incredible feat. 10+ year’s the senior of his closest compatriot in the top 5, shows just how talented Masand is. 

Look out for Grabovic who makes his debut in the top 5. He has a lot of work to do to catch the big 3, but with good health and no injuries, our big 3 may become the big 4 in the very near future. 

Player’s to watch: Lucas Pascoe, Robert Stirling, the Vine brothers (buoyed by a strong PPA Brisbane result… Is this the momentum they need going into 2025?). 

Pro Women’s Doubles

All Somer Dalla-Bona is doing in 2025 is winning, in any format. After taking the PPA Brisbane event in February, she takes Runner Up at NPL Sydney and then wins again with Roos Van Reek in a tough field at PPA Tweed Heads. Her first time on top of the Pro Women’s Doubles ranking and takes that spot away from long time number one, Sarah Burr. 

Sarah Burr drops one spot this month to number two; her first time not atop the rankings in 12 months. Nothing to take away from her results though, with a third place finish at PPA Brisbane and fourth at PPA Tweed Heads. 

The partnership of Roos Van Reek and Dalla-Bona is a prosperous one. They took the 2024 APC and have now backed it up with the PPA Tweed Heads title. Van Reek comes in at number 3. 

Number 4 is Katy Hart. Back to back Runner Up finishes at PPA Brisbane and PPA Tweed Heads has lifted Katy into the fourth spot. This lefty was just announced the 2025 Ambassador of the APC. Can we see her go all the way at Australia’s premier event in 2025? 

Rounding out the top 5 is Danni-Elle Townsend. The winner of NPL Sydney in February and third at PPA Tweed Heads has propelled her into this spot. It seems Townsend likes consistency with partnerships, like she has with Joseph Wild in Mixed Doubles. If she finds that partner in Women’s Doubles, could we see her propel to the heights of her Mixed Doubles ranking? 

Players to watch: Bernadette Massih, Andie Dikosavljevic and Talia Saunders. 

Pro Mixed Doubles (Men)

The Men’s race for number one has heated up a little, though Joseph Wild has held this spot for so long, it’s hard to imagine anyone else on top. Wild has a 150 point lead over Mitchell Hargreaves. But with that pair yet to be beat in 2025 and longer for that matter, it’s hard to see this doubles specialist giving up this spot easily. 

Mr Consistent, Mitch Hargreaves has closed the gap significantly on Wild, but hasn’t yet been able to get across the line against Wild recently in Mixed Doubles. Hargreaves comes in at number 2, but what is he going to need to do to pip Wild and take number one? 

The MPL #1 Draft pick in 2024 takes the third spot in Pro Mixed Doubles rankings. Outside of Wild and Hargreaves, Lucas Pascoe has been one of the best performers on the mixed doubles court over the past 12 months. He has shown his versatility as he has had deep runs with multiple partners over the past 12 months including Hart and Mercado. Dubbed one of our most exciting prospects, let’s see what this young gun can do for the rest of 2025. 

George Wall and Robert Stirling round out the top 5. Wall hasn’t quite found the success in Mixed Doubles like he has found in Men’s Doubles; and Stirling is moving up the rankings fast, buoyed by a Title at PPA Brisbane.

Player’s to watch: Zac Grabovic, Adam Daggmarr.

Pro Mixed Doubles (W) 

There is no lead in the Australian Rankings, in any age group, as large as Danni-Elle Townsends lead in Mixed Doubles. 

5150 points. Nearly 3000 points ahead of her closest competitor. Astonishing, and showcases why she is the clear number one in Mixed Doubles. 

Sarah Burr comes in at number 2 with 2350 points. Consistent results, but no podium results in nearly 12 months. The partnership with George Wall showed potential in April. Can they take it to the next level? 

Michaela Haet had a great run with Mitchell Hargreaves at PPA Tweed Heads making the final, but ran into the juggernauts, Wild and Townsend. Haet is standing strong at number 3. 

Rounding out the top 5 are Somer Dalla-Bona and Nicola Schoeman who both had terrific results at PPA Brisbane. 

Player’s to watch: Talia Saunders, Kat Valos. 

There are just four players who have dominated across all three disciplines (Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles) in the last 12 months, to take the top 5 spot in each of these events. They are: 

Mitchell Hargreaves: S #1, D #3 and X #2. 

Joseph Wild: S #5, D #2 and X #1.

Somer Dalla-Bona: S #1,  D#1 and X #4. 

Danni-Elle Townsend: S #5, D #5 and X #1. 

Next tournaments to be added to the AR calendar which will significantly impact the Australian Rankings include: 

NPL Championships Brisbane 

PPA Tour Perth 

2025 South Australian Pickleball Championships 

To find out more about the Australian Rankings, please visit: Rankings (pickleballaus.org)