February 13 is Galentine’s Day.

It's one of my favorite holidays because it’s the perfect excuse to celebrate all the gal pals in your life.

Last year, we rounded up some of pro pickleball’s best gals in women’s doubles, but little did we know we’d have one major duo coming our way to dominate the court just a month later – "The Girlies" – Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright.  

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Rachel Rohrabacher (@rachelrohra)

Bright and Rohrabacher have made their mark as two gold-medal winning besties. But, they weren’t instant best friends. Rohrabacher actually slid into Bright’s direct messages on Instagram, and Bright ghosted her. 

“In 2022, Rachel DMed me to play a tournament with her in Chicago and I didn’t respond,” said Bright with a laugh. 

“I was taking my chance,” explained Rohrabacher. “I just started playing in pickleball tournaments and I knew Simone Jardim because she recruited me to play when I was in college, so I reached out to Anna because she knew me from our tennis days. I didn’t think she would say yes, but I thought I should take a chance and try.” 

“I was like, ‘I’m never doing that.’ I knew her from tennis, but no way was I going to play with her,” explained Bright. 

“Anna ghosted me,” insisted Rohrabacher. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Rachel Rohrabacher (@rachelrohra)

Their story, however, didn’t end with ghosting. Their paths continued to cross thanks to mutual pickleball connections and watching each other compete in tournaments. 

In 2023, at the Texas Open, Rohrabacher played women’s doubles with Regina Goldberg and mixed doubles with Johnny Goldberg, who were friends of Bright.

Luckily for Rohrabacher, the Goldbergs shared their enthusiasm about Rachel's play with Anna.

“We watched each other play at that tournament and talked a little bit, but it was nothing crazy,” admitted Rohrabacher. 

Nevertheless, Rachel's game caught Anna's attention.  

“Soon after that, Anna drafted me for the Orlando Squeeze, but we only had a short interaction before we started playing together,” said Rohrabacher. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Major League Pickleball (@majorleaguepb)

When it came time to hit the court together and practice for the MLP season, it was clear their styles complemented each other well.  

“I liked Rachel, but it wasn't an instantaneous click. It took us a little while to become friends off the court,” said Bright. “I’m a little more outwardly outgoing, but it takes time for me to really let someone in.”

As they practiced and competed together, their personal connection grew alongside their on-court chemistry.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Anna Bright (@annabright.pb)

“Our friendship off the court grew. On the court, it was instantaneous because we had the same intensity and competitiveness. We’re very similar competitors, but as friends, we definitely grew into it,” mentioned Rohrabacher. 

After their success on the Squeeze in 2023, they took their game to the PPA Tour and played their first tournament together in January 2024 at the Hyundai Masters where they earned a silver medal.

By March, they'd won their first gold together at the Pickleball Central Indoor USA Championships and again at the Veolia Austin Open.

In May, they put their friendship on display by doing an awkward 90s photoshoot and giggling throughout the entire video. 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Rachel Rohrabacher (@rachelrohra)

Within a year, they solidified themselves as serious contenders in women’s doubles, regularly upsetting the No. 1 team of Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau by winning eight gold medals and six silvers - all while sharing their genuine friendship that pickleball spectators and fans really enjoyed.

A strong friendship might just be the key element that's guided them to multiple Championship Sundays.  

“It helps to be able to be yourself out there. If you have to fake a relationship with someone or walk on eggshells, it’s definitely not helping out there on the court,” said Rohrabacher. 

“We talk a lot about pickleball, but we also talk a lot that’s not about pickleball,” noted Bright. 

2025 is already off to an incredible start for the pair.

Starting a brand - with merchandise that sold out in just a few hours - and making finals appearances at the Zimmer Biomet Masters and Proton Tucson Open is obivously a sign of more good things to come.

Who would’ve thought that the story began with Bright playing hard to get in her DMs? Lesson learned. Be like Rohrabacher and shoot your shot. You might get ghosted at first, but she might come back around and you’ll find yourself on Championship Sunday with your new bestie.