Rancho Mirage, USA
What’s the Score?
Rancho Mirage, USA – Catherine Parenteau (31) and Rachel Rohrabacher (28) confirmed via Instagram that they are forming a full-time women’s doubles partnership for the 2026 professional pickleball season. The pairing emerged organically earlier in 2025 when their previous partners, Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright, decided to team up, leaving Parenteau and Rohrabacher available. The newly formed duo quickly found success, securing silver medals in two major tournaments immediately after forming their partnership.
Hit it Deeper!
The genesis of the Parenteau-Rohrabacher team stemmed directly from the formation of the highly anticipated Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright partnership. Both Parenteau and Rohrabacher were left seeking new partners and quickly identified synergy in playing together.
Their early run together proved immediately fruitful. The pair reached the finals of two major events back-to-back: the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships in May and the Select Medical Orange County Cup in June. At both tournaments, the results shared a common theme: Parenteau and Rohrabacher captured silver medals, losing the finals in both instances to the newly assembled Waters/Bright team. Despite falling short of gold, these immediate podium finishes provided clear evidence that the pairing possessed the necessary chemistry and competitive floor to challenge the top tier of women’s doubles.
The announcement confirms their intention to transition this successful interim pairing into a permanent, full-time commitment for the upcoming season. Their official debut as a full-time professional partnership is set for January 2026 at the PPA Masters powered by Invited, held at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA. This early commitment allows the duo ample time to coordinate strategies and refine their game ahead of the demanding PPA Tour season.
Catherine Parenteau, a consistently ranked top professional, brings stability and elite court management to the team. Rachel Rohrabacher, 28, has demonstrated her potential and skill level by securing top finishes immediately after forming the duo. Their decision to fully commit indicates a strategic move to solidify their place as consistent contenders against the powerful Waters/Bright partnership that currently dominates the women’s field. The partnership represents a significant development in the women’s professional doubles landscape, confirming that the initial shake-up has resulted in the formation of another formidable team capable of challenging for titles.
The World Pickleball Verdict
The Parenteau-Rohrabacher union is a compelling narrative of competitive adaptation. Born from necessity, their partnership quickly proved its merit by consistently reaching major finals, even when facing the dominant Waters/Bright combination.
Their decision to commit full-time solidifies the upper echelon of women’s doubles, ensuring that the rivalry sparked by the original partner swap will continue to define the 2026 season. This demonstrates that in professional pickleball, setbacks can instantly breed powerful new competitive alliances capable of shaping the entire professional tour landscape.
Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at all levels of pickleball. Chris is also an avid player, currently struggling to make the breakthrough from 4.0 to 4.5.