Anna Leigh Waters Walks Away From Champion Duo to Reunite With Anna Bright
Pickleball sensation Anna Leigh Waters dropped a bombshell, ending her 31-title partnership with Catherine Parenteau following their Veolia North Carolina Open finals loss. Waters is now reuniting with former partner Anna Bright, with whom she clinched seven titles in 2023. The Florida-based duo’s complementary playing styles and geographic proximity make them a formidable threat. Parenteau, caught off guard, took to Instagram to express gratitude, while the pickleball community buzzes with anticipation for what’s next.
Shaking up the pickleball world yet again, Anna Leigh Waters has announced her reunion with former partner Anna Bright for the remainder of the 2025 season. The announcement comes after Waters’ surprising split from Catherine Parenteau, with whom she dominated the women’s doubles scene, winning five out of seven events together.
The breakup wasn’t exactly a fairy tale ending. Waters dropped the bomb on Parenteau after their loss at the Veolia North Carolina Open finals, expressing a simple desire for change. Their incredible run included 31 championship titles together before parting ways. Talk about timing. Parenteau, caught off guard, later admitted her surprise in an interview. Parenteau took to Instagram on April 7th to express her gratitude for their time together. Sometimes that’s just how the pickle bounces.
Waters and Bright aren’t exactly strangers to success together. The duo crushed it in 2023, collecting seven titles and leaving opponents wondering what hit them. Their reunion makes perfect sense geographically too – both players call Florida home, making regular training sessions a breeze rather than a logistical nightmare. Waters, who turned pro at just age 12, brings her remarkable strategic gameplay to the partnership.
Their initial test as a reunited force will come at the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships in May 2025. They’ll face stiff competition from powerhouse teams like Callie Smith and Etta Tuionetoa, but nobody’s counting them out. With their complementary playing styles and Waters’ preference for a right-side player, the partnership looks solid on paper.
The pickleball community is buzzing with speculation about this power move. High expectations? You bet. But both players have shown they can handle the pressure cooker of top-level competition. Their previous success together suggests they know exactly what they’re doing.
The strategic advantages are clear: consistent training opportunities, complementary game styles, and the comfort of a proven partnership. Plus, there’s something to be said for playing with someone whose personality clicks with yours.
As they gear up for their comeback tour, one thing’s certain – the women’s doubles scene just got a whole lot more interesting.
