Waters' Unexpected Breakup with Parenteau Continues To Shake Up Pickleball
What's the Score?
The highly successful women’s doubles partnership between Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters has come to an end, a decision that reportedly came as a surprise to Parenteau. Waters informed Parenteau of her decision to "try something different" in a phone call the day after they competed in the women’s doubles final at the Veolia North Carolina Open. Despite their dominant record, the pair have decided to part ways, leaving Parenteau to seek a new doubles partner for the remainder of the PPA Tour season.
Hit it deeper!
Speaking to Hannah Johns on the Hannah Johns Podcast, Catherine Parenteau expressed that it was "a little bit shocking" to receive the call from Anna Leigh Waters informing her of the partnership's end. This revelation came less than 24 hours after their final match together at the Veolia North Carolina Open. Parenteau described the call as "very nice" and stated that she respected Waters' decision, even though she was not aware that Waters was considering a change.
The partnership between Parenteau and Waters had been remarkably successful, achieving an astonishing overall record of 159 wins and only 6 losses, translating to a 96.36% match win rate. Together, they secured 31 titles on the PPA Tour, establishing themselves as a dominant force in women’s doubles pickleball. Parenteau conveyed her gratitude for the time she played with Waters, noting their long-standing relationship and her affection for Waters' family, including having played with her mother previously. She expressed pride in their accomplishments as a team and excitement for what the future holds for her. While admitting to feeling "a little bit sad" during the phone call, Parenteau also acknowledged the difficulty of saying goodbye to a close friend and on-court partner.
Looking ahead, Anna Leigh Waters will be partnering with Anna Bright for the remainder of the pickleball campaign. Meanwhile, Catherine Parenteau is now in the process of figuring out her schedule and potential new doubles partners. She recognized the depth of talent in the current professional pickleball field, with many great players. Parenteau acknowledged that finding a consistent partner for the rest of the year might be challenging, as many players are likely already committed. She is considering whether to team up with one specific player or to try playing with different partners.
The prospect of Parenteau and Waters facing each other on opposite sides of the court in a gender doubles matchup is anticipated to be a highly watched event on Pickleballtv. The PPA Tour is set to resume in mid-May with the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships, building anticipation for these potential new dynamics in the women’s doubles division. Parenteau reflected on the idea of competing against Waters, noting their past experiences playing singles against each other, suggesting it wouldn't be entirely new but would certainly have a different dynamic in a doubles context.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The breakup of the dominant duo of Catherine Parenteau and Anna Leigh Waters represents a significant shift in the landscape of professional women’s doubles pickleball. Their remarkable success over a sustained period made them one of the most formidable teams on the PPA Tour, and their separation will undoubtedly create new opportunities and challenges for both players and the division as a whole. Waters' decision to seek a new partnership signals a potential strategic shift in her career, while Parenteau now faces the task of forging a new alliance in a competitive field. The anticipation surrounding their first encounter as opponents underscores the high level of interest and competition within professional pickleball. This change could lead to a more open and unpredictable environment in women’s doubles, potentially paving the way for new teams to rise to prominence. The end of this era also serves as a reminder of the dynamic and sometimes surprising nature of professional sports partnerships.