Pickleball's BIGGEST Rivalries

Table of Contents

• Rivalries of 2024

• PPA Challenger Series

• Watch the latest pod

• KOTC on Discord

• Shop with KOTC

Biggest Rivalries in PB in 2024—but it’s not what you think

Never mind the predictable, oft-discussed rivalries like Christian vs. James, or Hustlers vs. DC, or Anna Leigh vs. everyone else; we’re digging deeper in those rivalries that simmer below the surface. Rivalries that eventually boil over and we get to enjoy the schadenfreude of the fallout.

Collin vs Net cords & the Vulcan ball

Collin’s conflict with the net is well documented, but it’s heated up so much this that even the commentators seem to gleefully anticipate a meltdown during matches. 2024 brought us a new enemy of Collin with the Vulcan ball he denigrated in his infamous letter.  The updated V-PRO flight is much improved over the first batch (shameless sponsor plug), but we think Collin will forever hold enmity towards the ball he himself helped get approved. 

pickleball.chick

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James Ignatowich vs Gravity

No one toils against an undefeatable enemy more than James “Jump rope” Ignatowich. His constant struggle against the pull of the earth is admirable, even if we know it is a lost cause. 

Alshon vs Concrete wall

Alshon’s greatest friend is also his greatest rival. The random concrete wall that made Alshon the player he is today has also never lost to him. Through hundreds of hours of practice, the wall has never missed a counter, never failed to return a groundstroke.  Perhaps Alshon has found a new rival in the Johns bros (who is laughing now), but for now the concrete wall has a better record. 

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PB Facebook groups vs service rules

One only needs to join a Facebook PB group a few hours before they get inundated with posts about legal serves.  “Is this serve legal?” “Dekel has the most illegal serve ever!” “Tyson’s belly button must be at his chest.” Nothing will make you regret joining the group more than reading the argument between two retirees on serve contact point ad nauseam.

Anna Bright vs Dating Rumors

Ever since her split from James Ignatowich, the rumor mill has been going crazy trying to guess her next beau. “She hiked the Grand Canyon with Hayden!” “Dylan said he wants to have her baby!” “Did you see how she hugged Gabe after their win?” Seems like everyone wants read into every interaction she has, especially as she experiments with new mixed partnerships on court. But the reality is, Anna is focused on doing Anna things: dominating the pickleball court on a course to be the top female player. Everything else is just a distraction.

Jim Kloss vs Jimmy Miller

Facebook is, in general, a wasteland of ignorance and idiocy, but it also includes the occasional gem like every time Jim and Jimmy fight over Jim’s latest novella to his oversized ego. Jim never knew what to write about until he first watched the latest KOTC episode and could pass on whatever he heard as his own. This rivalry really cranked up when Jim consulted with the LV Night Owls during their draft, and Jim took it upon himself to claim credit for all their success while calling out Jimmy for the Black Bears’ struggles. 

Tyson McGuffin vs his Achilles

RIP Tyson’s Achilles (or is it his fascia?). We’ve lost track of how many times he’s withdrawn from events due to injury, and it’s been a battle against his own body this whole year. He was looking pretty good at PPA Finals– the rest seemed to have done him some good. Here’s hoping 2025 is a better year for Mr. Electric. (Call us, Tyson! ☮ 🕊)

PPA Challenger Series

Earlier this year, the UPA announced the PPA Challenger Series, a collection of events around the country for amateurs and rising pros. It’s clear the aim is to supplant the influence of other tours, like the APP, and bring all emerging talent under the UPA umbrella. Connor Pardoe hinted at this when the KOTC boys interviewed him live from the Utah Open, back in August.

Based on tour stop locations, it also appears to be an attempt to reach corners of the US that have typically not seen a PPA tour stop, perhaps unearthing hidden talent and nurturing the amateur scene. The Challenger Series of events will include 3.0 - 5.0 amateur events, and pro brackets where players can earn PPA points (max of 125 points per event). These points earned will allow the top players throughout the year entry to the PPA Challenger Showdown, where pro hopefuls will compete for a PPA contract. Read more about how points and qualifications work. 

PPA Challenger Series Schedule of Events (Click to register!)