Dink Awards 2023 Winners: Player of the Year

Records were made! Over 6,000 of you voted in this year's official fans's choice awards for the top players, people, and moments from the year. Today we're announcing the first six categories and releasing the rest over the course of the week — so make sure to check back!

via GIPHY

Mens Player of the Year

The GOAT of pickleball has done it again - this time off the pickleball court. We're not surprised to see Johns take the title of player of the year.

Here are the full results:

• Ben Johns (55.4 percent)
• Tyson McGuffin (19 percent)
• JW Johnson (11.6 percent)
• Hunter Johnson (5.4 percent)
• Andrei Daescu (8.7 percent)

Womens Player of the Year

Anna Leigh can now add a Dink Award to her mantle next to all her triple crowns. She's a beast on the pickleball court so it's no surprise to see her take this one. Huge shout-out to Anna Bright for a well-deserved second place as she was a dominating force in 2023.

Here are the full results:

• Anna Leigh Waters (47.4 percent)
• Anna Bright (18.5 percent)
• Catherine Parenteau (16.3 percent)
• Vivienne David (12.8 percent)
• Susannah Barr (4.9 percent)

Senior Womens Player of the Year

Beth Bellamy takes the win with a large margin for the best senior women's player of the year. The Ohio native quickly rose to the top of the senior rankings with 43 gold medals in 2022.

Here are the full results:

• Beth Bellamy (41.5 percent)
• Eva Welsher (24.4 percent)
• Anna Shirley (12.5 percent)
• Nathalie Bagby (11.1 percent)
• Kim Kesner (10.5 percent)

Senior Mens Player of the Year

The man, myth, and legend Altaf Merchant snatches the W for senior men's player of the year - no doubt because of all the voting his kids did for him. A close second for one of the best coaches in the game, Dayne Gingrich.

Here are the full results:

• Altaf Merchant (28 percent)
• Dayne Gingrich (24.9 percent)
• Mattias Johansson (19.8 percent)
• Rick Witsken (13.8 percent)
• Paul Olin (13.4 percent)

Best Dressed Player of the Year

There are no style points in pickleball but Parris Todd can add best dressed to her catalog of wins. A pretty decisive win against A.L. who is always dressed to impress. The guys battled this one out for third place with Rettenmaier barely beating out McGuffin by .3%! Stay stylish, guys.

Here are the full results:

• Parris Todd (34.6 percent)
• Anna Leigh Waters (20.7 percent)
• Travis Rettenmaier (19.4 percent)
• Tyson McGuffin (19.1 percent)
• Meghan Fudge (6.2 percent)

Selkirk TV Spotlight Match

A final like no other - the DC Pickleball vs Orlando Squeeze MLP match is officially added to the hall of fame for the most electric pickleball ever to be streamed. A huge thank you to Selkirk for sponsoring this category. Go watch some great pickleball on Selkirk TV.

Here are the full results:

• DC Pickleball Team vs Orlando Squeeze MLP Atlanta (30 percent)
• JW Johnson/Jorja Johnson vs Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters PPA Arizona Open (20.7 percent)
• Ben Johns/Collin Johns vs JW Johnson/Dylan Frazier PPA Cincinatti Open (19.5 percent)
• Anna Leigh Waters vs Lea Jansen PPA Texas Open (16.1 percent)
• Meghan Dizon/Etta Wright v. Allyce Jones/Lea Jansen PPA Red Rock Open (7.6 percent)
• William Sobek vs Vuk Velickovic APP New York City Open (6.1 percent)

More Winners to Come

Well, that's all we have for now. Check back on Wednesday when we'll release the next set of winners.