The Height of Men’s Doubles Gold Medal Winners: A “Short” Stats Study.

*Using heights listed in the players’ bios at pickleball.co

Have you noticed a recent trend on the PPA Tour, where you have to look up to see the Men’s Doubles champions hoisting the trophy? It’s been like that this year.

In the 32 Men’s Doubles finals at PPA tournaments since the start of 2024, eleven have been won by teammates both over six feet tall, 13 by teams with one player over six feet and one under (such as Ben and Collin Johns), and eight by two teammates both under six feet tall. (That’s pretty balanced, slightly favoring the tall side.)

However, there a trend toward taller players winning:

Both players under six feet: 

• Jan-June, 2024, SIX teams won titles.
• July-Dec, 2024, TWO teams won titles.
• Jan-April, 2025, ZERO teams won titles.

Both players over six feet:

• Jan-June, 2024, ONE team won a title.
• July-Dec, 2024, FOUR teams won titles.
• Jan-April, 2025, SIX teams won titles.

Taking a closer look, starting with Kansas City last August, 17 of 19 championship teams have had one or both players over six feet tall, and teams with both players over six feet tall have won the last six tournaments and seven out of nine.

By the way, every male gold medalist at the Red Rock Open in March was at least six feet tall. Hunter Johnson in Singles, Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu in Doubles, and Dekel Bar in Mixed Doubles.  We also just had the tallest Singles final ever, with Gabe Tardio and Roscoe Bellamy at the North Carolina Open.

Who would you bet on today? With that “over/under” information,  you decide.