STORYLINES FOR THE CARVANA MESA CUP (FEB 16-22, 2026)

OVERALL TOP 5:

• BACK TO THE START: PPA Tour started in Mesa, AZ in February of 2020 (at a different venue).
• HE’S BAAAAAACK, PART 1: Ben Johns is playing singles for the first time in 2026.
• HE’S BAAAAAACK, PART 2: Jack Sock returns in all 3 disciplines from injury.
• SHE’S BAAAAAACK: Anna Leigh Waters is in the singles draw after sitting out the last 2 events.
• OUR CUP RUNNETH OVER: 1,500 points to the winners (one of only 4 Cups).

VENUE/TOURNEY/TV:

• Event #4 in 20226 features a progressive draw, 1 round per bracket per day at the Arizona Athletic Grounds.
• Over 1,600 players are competing.
• Coverage on PickleballTV begins on Tuesday with the round of 64 (starting at 12pm Eastern each day).
• FS1 windows from 6-8pm Eastern Thursday and Friday and a Tennis Channel window 12-4 EST on Sunday.

WOMEN’S SINGLES:

• Defending Medalists: Anna Leigh Waters, Brooke Buckner, Kate Fahey
• Anna Leigh Waters (1) and Kate Fahey (2) are the top seeds.
• Potential R16: Catherine Parenteau (6) vs. Jorja Johnson (12)
• Potential QF: Brooke Buckner (4) vs. Lea Jansen (5)
• WATCH OUT FOR: Genie Bouchard (8) – huge run in Cape Coral, can she build on it in AZ?

MEN’S SINGLES:

• Defending Medalists: Ben Johns, Hunter Johnson, Federico Staksrud
• Hunter Johnson is the top seed and Federico Staksrud (2).
• Potential R32: Chris Haworth (4), returning from the flu vs. JW Johnson (28)
• Potential R32: Jack Sock (7) vs. Donald Young (29)
• WATCH OUT FOR: Ben Johns (10), is the defending champion and will be motivated as he makes his 2026 singles debut.
• BONUS NOTE: To win the tournament, this is the potential path for Ben Johns: R32 Freeman, R16 Garnett, QF Staksrud, SF Alshon, Finals Hunter Johnson.

MIXED DOUBLES:

• Defending Medalists: Jorja and JW Johnson, Bright/Bar, Waters/Johns
• Waters/Johns are the top seed, the Johnson siblings are the 2.
• Potential R16: Rohrabacher/Alshon (5) vs. Todd/Bar (10)
• Potential R16: Fahey/Staksrud (7) vs. Pisnik/Khlif (9)
• WATCH OUT FOR: Andrei Daescu (4) and Hurricane Tyra Black – first time partners are a serious medal threat.

WOMEN’S DOUBLES:

• Defending Medalists: Parenteau/Waters, Bright/Rohrabacher, Jorja Johnson/Viv Glozman
• Waters and Bright are the (1) seed, Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black are the second seed
• Potential QF: Fahey/Todd (4) vs. Pisnik/Schneemann (6)
• Potential QF: Waters/Bright (1) vs. Tuionetoa/Dizon (5)
• WATCH OUT FOR: Kate Fahey and Parris Todd (4) – first time partners looking to hit the podium.

MEN’S DOUBLES:

• Defending Medalists: Alshon/Daescu, Johns/Tardio, Tellez/Frazier
• Top seed is Johns and Tardio (partnership started here in ‘25), the 2 seed is Alshon/Patriquin.
• Potential R16: Bar/Devilliers (6) vs. Sock/Tellez (10)
• Potential QF: Daescu/Staksrud (3) vs. Oncins/Frazier (5)
• WATCH OUT FOR: Alshon/Patriquin (2) – Alshon won in 2025 with Daescu, can he double down with Big H?