Waters And Bright Prove Unmatched In PPA Atlanta’s “Breakup Final”

The PPA Atlanta Open served up one of the most talked-about women’s doubles finals of the year—an emotionally charged showdown between four elite players whose recent partner swaps had already sparked heated discussion across the pickleball world. Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright, now united as a formidable new force, faced off against Rachel Rohrabacher and Catherine Parenteau in what fans quickly dubbed the "breakup final."

This was the first major outing since Waters made the decision to end her long-standing partnership with Parenteau—one of the most successful duos in the sport’s history. The move raised eyebrows online, but from a strategic standpoint, it was clear: the women’s game is evolving, and Waters wanted to stay ahead of the curve. Just as Ben Johns recently pivoted to pair with Gabe Tardio in response to faster-paced play, Waters recognized that Bright was better suited to the aggressive, high-speed format defining 2025.

Bright, five years Parenteau’s junior and increasingly lethal from the left, offered the upside Waters needed to continue dominating. And it’s hard to argue with the results.

Source: Pickleball.com

Dominance From First Serve To Final Point

In Atlanta, Waters and Bright cruised to the final without dropping a single game. Their semifinal win over the third-seeded Tyra Black and Parris Todd (11-2, 11-7) was efficient and commanding. In the gold medal match, the new pairing took full control, defeating Parenteau and Rohrabacher 11-4, 11-7, 11-3.

Although the energy and resolve from their opponents were palpable, the talent gap was undeniable. Waters and Bright simply operated on a higher level. The final was competitive in stretches, but ultimately left fans wondering if any team can actually challenge this new partnership in 2025.

Parenteau and Rohrabacher are by no means weak links. Both are top-10 players and were not ousted due to lack of talent, but rather because of compatibility in a game that now demands exceptional left-side dominance. Parenteau, better suited for the right, struggled when forced to cover middle court responsibilities—an area Waters and Bright relentlessly exploited. Neither she nor Rohrabacher has the ideal offensive presence required to balance the court against today’s fastest pairings.

Can Anyone Beat Waters And Bright In 2025?

The short answer? Highly unlikely.

There’s been no indication so far that Waters and Bright are vulnerable. With their unique combination of offensive power, elite hand speed, and complementary court instincts, the duo looks poised to run the table in 2025.

However, if an upset were to happen, there is one team with the potential to disrupt the status quo: Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson. Their early season success as a pair was promising, and both players possess the firepower needed to go toe-to-toe with Waters and Bright. Black is a rare left-side player with aggressive instincts, while Johnson brings heavy pace and a fiery presence from the right.

Unfortunately, they've recently parted ways. Black paired with Todd in Atlanta, and while Todd is consistent and creative, she lacks the raw explosiveness needed to neutralize Waters and Bright. Meanwhile, Johnson played with Jade Kawamoto and suffered a narrow loss to the steady, if less powerful, duo of Fahey and Pisnik.

Looking Ahead: Is It Already Game Over?

If Black and Johnson reunite, they may offer the sport its only true hope of halting the Waters-Bright machine. Still, even that may not be enough. Waters and Bright not only have talent on their side, but they now seem to possess the strategic clarity and motivation that champions rarely relinquish.

For now, Waters and Bright appear to be playing in a league of their own. Expect them to claim every women’s doubles title for the remainder of 2025—and do it without dropping a game.