Two of the most accomplished players in professional pickleball, Matt Wright and Lucy Kovalova, have been selected as members of the 2026 Pickleball Hall of Fame Class, recognizing careers that have helped shape the sport and its rapid growth.
As members of the Warping Point team, we’re proud to see both athletes receive recognition for their extraordinary accomplishments, longevity, and impact on professional pickleball.
Matt Wright: A Career Built on Excellence
Few players have experienced the level of sustained success that Matt Wright has achieved throughout his career.
Wright is a seven-time U.S. Open Pickleball champion, 20-time PPA Tour champion, a four-time USA Pickleball National champion, and a former No. 1-ranked PPA men’s and mixed doubles player.
His ability to compete and win at the highest level across different eras of professional pickleball is a defining part of his legacy. His nomination for the Pickleball Hall of Fame recognizes not only his extensive list of accomplishments, but his contribution to the growth and evolution of professional pickleball.
Lucy Kovalova: A Career of Consistency and Dominance
Lucy Kovalova has built one of the most accomplished careers in women’s professional pickleball, establishing herself as a consistent presence at the highest level of the sport.
A four-time USA Pickleball National Champion and Women’s Triple Crown winner, Kovalova has captured major titles across the U.S. Open, PPA Tour, and national championships. Her PPA Tour career includes 21 women’s doubles titles and two mixed doubles titles, highlighted by an extraordinary stretch of dominance between 2020 and 2021 when she won 11 consecutive PPA Tour women’s doubles tournaments.
Beyond the titles, Kovalova’s career stands out for its longevity and consistency. She has remained among the sport’s elite through a period of significant growth and transformation in professional pickleball, competing alongside and against multiple generations of top players.
From her early success at the U.S. Open to her sustained dominance on the PPA Tour, Kovalova has played an important role in establishing the standard for excellence in women’s professional pickleball.
Recognizing Two Exceptional Careers
Hall of Fame recognition is about more than wins and medals. It is about the athletes who help define a sport, inspire the next generation, and contribute to its growth.
Matt Wright and Lucy Kovalova have done exactly that.
Their induction into the Pickleball Hall of Fame celebrates two exceptional careers and the lasting impact they have made on professional pickleball. As the sport continues to grow and evolve, their accomplishments and contributions will remain an important part of its history.