Anna Bright/Rachel Rohrabacher Upsets Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau
In what could be described as one of the most captivating matches of the season, Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher emerged victorious at the PPA Atlanta Slam, clinching gold in the women’s doubles final. Facing off against top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau, the underdog duo showcased exceptional resilience, strategic ingenuity, and an unshakable emotional bond. Their victory at the Grand Slam event underscored the growing depth of competition in professional pickleball, as well as the importance of mental composure in high-pressure moments. (Watch Match/Highlights)
In a sport where momentum can shift in an instant, it’s often the mental aspect that makes the difference between victory and defeat. For Anna Bright and her partner Rachel Rohrabacher, this was evident in their gold-medal performance at the PPA Atlanta Slam, a prestigious tournament that featured some of the top pickleball players in the world.
Their opponents, Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau, are no strangers to big matches. Waters, especially, is known for her unwavering confidence. As Bright pointed out in a post-match interview, Waters “never actually thinks she’s going to lose until it happens.” Yet, on this occasion, it was Waters and Parenteau who were on the losing end.
Bright and Rohrabacher entered the match with a calm energy, which Bright described as “settled.” It was a feeling that she hadn’t experienced in previous encounters with Waters and Parenteau. “I had a good feeling that morning,” Bright remarked, alluding to a new sense of readiness. “I felt more anxious than usual, but that energy was channeled into our performance.”
One of the key strategies Bright and Rohrabacher employed was stacking, a formation where Bright played more frequently on the left side. This allowed them to counter the aggressive style of Waters and Parenteau, who often string together points in quick succession with a “drive and crash” tactic. By anticipating these moves and returning them effectively, Bright and Rohrabacher were able to neutralize their opponents’ early momentum, which had historically been a challenge for teams facing Waters and Parenteau.
Another factor in their victory was Rachel Rohrabacher’s lethal crosscourt forehand. Described by Bright as “the best in the game,” Rohrabacher’s forehand proved to be a critical weapon, particularly against Parenteau. “We were definitely looking to use Rachel’s crosscourt attack, especially against Catherine,” Bright explained. “She just blisters that thing.”
Despite these tactical adjustments, the match wasn’t without its challenges. There were several controversial calls that could have rattled Bright and Rohrabacher. In one instance, Katherine Parenteau called a ball out that was clearly in, and Bright admitted to feeling the urge to lose her cool. “I wanted to say something, but I kept it together,” she said, laughing about the moment after the match.
It’s these moments of emotional composure that often separate champions from contenders. Bright and Rohrabacher could have easily allowed questionable calls to disrupt their focus. Instead, they used the adversity as fuel, staying calm and continuing to execute their game plan.
Off the court, the presence of Dekel Bar on their bench added an emotional dimension to the match. Bar provided encouragement and support throughout the final. “Rachel had been nagging him to sit on our bench, and I think it made a difference,” Bright said. “His emotional presence really helped us stay grounded.”
Bright also reflected on the evolving replay system in professional pickleball, acknowledging that while it adds a layer of fairness to the game, it also creates new challenges. “There’s always a risk-reward when using challenges,” she noted, referring to moments when players must decide whether to challenge a call. “We had one challenge left, and we decided not to use it because we didn’t want to lose momentum.”
The victory at the PPA Atlanta Slam was not just a testament to Bright and Rohrabacher’s physical prowess but also to their mental resilience. In a match that required both strategic precision and emotional control, they rose to the occasion and proved that in the world of professional pickleball, the mind can be as powerful a weapon as the paddle.
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Anna Bright Interview
In this exclusive interview, Bright discusses the energy and mindset going into the match, the tactics that led to their victory, and how staying composed during critical moments helped seal the win. She also shares her thoughts on the evolving replay system in professional pickleball and the importance of emotional support on the court.
Matty: First off, congratulations on your gold medal at the PPA Atlanta Slam. Did this Grand Slam feel different from other tournaments? Do pro players treat these events differently?
Anna Bright: Thank you! Honestly, no, it didn't feel much different. All the tournaments kind of blend together for me. It’s cool that it’s a Grand Slam, and hopefully, it’ll mean more in the future, but for now, it doesn’t feel drastically different. You do get more points, though, which is always a plus!
Matty: Watching this match was incredibly entertaining. Did you and Rachel employ any new strategies against Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau?
Anna Bright: I think our energy was really settled going into the match. I had a good feeling that morning, although I felt more anxious than usual, especially when facing that team. Strategy-wise, we stacked with me on the left side more than we had in the past, especially against this team. It's something we've been doing more often lately, but it was new for this particular matchup.
Matty: It seemed like you and Rachel were focusing on crosscourt attacks, especially from Rachel to Catherine. Was that part of the plan, or am I overanalyzing it?
Anna Bright: (laughs) I think you may have thought about it more than we did! We didn’t go in with a big, specific strategy, but the general idea is to attack Catherine where possible. Rachel has an incredible crosscourt forehand out of the air. It’s one of the best in the game, and we wanted to take advantage of that.
Matty: The energy between you and Rachel was palpable. It felt different—like you were more in sync this time. Did you feel that too?
Anna Bright: Definitely. Especially against a team like Anna Leigh and Catherine, who have so much confidence. Anna Leigh, in particular, always believes she’s going to win until the moment she doesn’t. But we were very clean in our decision-making during the match, and we managed to keep that energy consistent throughout.
Matty: There were a couple of questionable calls in game two. How did you manage to stay composed and keep focus after those moments?
Anna Bright: Yeah, there were a few tight calls. There was a ball that was clearly in, and Katherine called it out because she couldn’t make the ATP. I wanted to lose my cool, but I managed to hold it together. In moments like that, it’s important not to let bad calls shake your focus. It’s part of the game when players are calling their own lines.
Matty: Speaking of tight calls, what are your thoughts on the replay system and how it’s currently being implemented in professional pickleball?
Anna Bright: I haven’t given it too much thought, but I think the current system is okay. You have to be smart about how you use challenges. There’s a risk-reward factor, and sometimes, like in our match, we decided not to challenge even though we knew we were right. It’s all about managing those moments.
Matty: Before we wrap up, is there anyone you’d like to shout out for helping during the match?
Anna Bright: Absolutely! I want to shout out Dekel Bar. Rachel had been nagging him to sit on our bench, and he finally did for this match. Would we have won without him there? Maybe, but having his emotional support was definitely helpful. It’s something I’m thinking about more—having that kind of emotional presence during matches can make a difference.
Matty Pickles Podcast Time Code List
00:00 INTRO 0:40 Ben Johns injured, RO16, QFs 3:07 Semis 7:26 Champ Sunday 8:52 Women’s Doubles Final 12:15 Anna Bright breaks down the match 15:10 Anna Bright talks line calls 18:39 Coach Dekel! 19:57 Anna Bright talks MLP 31:21 OUTRO
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