2025 is in the books. Here is how the top 20 women currently rank, headed into 2026. The rankings are based on doubles play, with gender doubles weighted more than mixed doubles.

1. Anna Leigh Waters. I know, I know, shocking to have her at No. 1. What more can be said? In addition to being the best woman player, by a wide margin, did you know she is probably the best and most patient player with fans?

2. Tie between Anna Bright, Jorja Johnson, and Tyra Black. Each has something to be said to claim the second spot. Bright has usually claimed this spot for herself, but she did lose twice in 2025 alongside Waters, and her mixed doubles record was not what it should have been, considering who she had for partners. While Bright is still very, very good, she did slip a slight bit compared to Johnson and Black. Johnson had a great 2025 in mixed doubles. Black played a great left side in women’s doubles all year, and did well with partners slightly below those of Bright and Johnson. It all adds up to a close battle for the second spot.

5. Catherine Parenteau. Late in 2024 and early in 2025, she had dropped some. But, she had a strong finish to 2025. One of her biggest issues is finding the right partner for women’s doubles. She is best on the right, but so are the players she now teams with.

 

6. Rachel Rohrabacher. Similar to Parenteau, she is better on the right, but is pairing with other right side players. There just are not enough left side dominant women to go around.

7. Parris Todd. Her best game is singles. In doubles, she tries to play too much left side. Similar to Rohrabacher, her backhand is better than her forehand, and thus she needs to be on the right.

8. Tie between Jade Kawamoto and Jackie Kawamoto. Jackie has always been considered slightly better than Jade. But in 2025, we saw improvement from Jade, such that they end the year tied. Jade played quite well in 2025 MLP. As a team, the whole is better than the parts. Their best play is always to team together.

 

10. Meghan Dizon. Dizon had a bounce back year in 2025. She had clearly dropped off in 2024, but came back with a nice 2025. Playing MLP next to Waters seemed to help her game.

11. Tina Pisnik. She had a solid year, but at 44 years old, she is starting to decline against the field. She has played a lot of left side in women’s doubles, but is now better suited to the right side. She should have a decent year in 2026, but expect her to slowly drop in the rankings as younger players with more power pass her by.

12. Etta Tuionetoa. Like Dizon, she had a down year in 2024, but also like Dizon, she made a nice comeback in 2025. She has fallen down the rankings a bit. Tuionetoa can play a good left side power game, and thus should be in demand as a women’s doubles partner. It will be interesting to see which way her game goes in 2026.

 

13. Lacy Schneemann. A very inconsistent player. Her highs can be very high, but her lows can be very low.

14. Allyce Jones. Basically the opposite of Schneemann, Jones is remarkably consistent. Excellent defensive player, gives her all on every point.

15. Jessie Irvine. Had a very good year in mixed doubles with Gabe Tardio. Had issues with Genie Bouchard, and thus had a poor year at MLP. Has more power than people think, but a tendency to retreat at the kitchen line tends to hold her back.

 

16. Lea Jansen. She should be ranked higher, as her talent justifies it, but not her results. Tends not to get the best partners, or consistent partners, which holds her back.

17. Zoey Wang. Loads of talent, results do not quite match the talent. Needs better mixed doubles partners.

18. Kate Fahey. Great singles player, but she has not developed as well at doubles as I expected she would in 2025. Too inconsistent at doubles, tends to get mad at herself and not play her best in key situations. Definitely a player we all could see taking a big step up in 2026.

 

19. Kaitlyn Christian. Very similar to Fahey. Great singles player who just has not mastered the details of doubles to become consistent. Lots of potential, lots of ability, gets better partners than the current level of her game would justify. Will better results happen in 2026?

20. Tie between Callie Smith and Mari Humberg. They have somewhat similar games, in that both are the rare women who are better on the left. Humberg is better at her best, Smith is more consistent.

 

Best of the rest: Alix Truong, Brooke Buckner, Milan Rane, Lucy Kovalova.

 

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