
Back on top: Waters, Bright dominate Johnson, Rohrabacher for women’s doubles crown
It had been two tournaments since Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright had won a title together, but that brief streak came to an end on Sunday with their 11-3, 11-1, 11-3 victory over No. 2 seeds Jorja Johnson/Rachel Rohrabacher in the women’s doubles final.
It was a truly clinical performance from the top seeds, which, combined with a slow start from their opponents, made for the day’s most lopsided score line from Virginia Beach.
Bright spoke about how it feels to return to the top of the podium after falling in the semifinals in Las Vegas and Cincinnati.
“I don’t think we played badly [in those previous losses]. I think the level is just really rising, but it feels good to send a message this week that we’re here to stay and that we’re playing good pickleball,” she mentioned afterwards.
This result also gives Bright her twentieth career women’s doubles title on the PPA Tour. The 26-year-old, who recently competed in PPA Tour Asia’s Panas Malaysia Cup, took some time to reflect on her pickleball journey and the sport’s growth.
“It’s just been really amazing to see the growth of the sport, especially internationally, and even here, just coming back to the same venues and seeing the year-over-year growth. It’s really amazing what the PPA Tour is doing, and I’m excited for what the rest of 2025 will bring,” she said.
Bright is now finished for the day, but Waters will take the court once more in the women’s singles final against Brooke Buckner.
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