Rachel Rohrabacher is still a relative newcomer on the pro pickleball scene, but she has certainly made a splash over the last 18 months.

With seven gold medals, five silver, and two bronze in women’s doubles on the PPA Tour, she has quickly solidified herself as one of the best in the discipline.

Competing alongside Anna Bright, the pair reached the top of the podium at events like the CIBC Atlanta Slam and the Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® Pickleball World Championships.

Nevertheless, those monumental victories over top seeds Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau aren't necessarily her favorite career highlight. 

Winning the MLP Premier Level championship in 2023 with her former team, the Orlando Squeeze, is actually atop the list.

“It was so early in my career, but winning with the Orlando Squeeze was amazing. It was my first big-time event, and this team who didn’t even know who I was took a chance on me,” said Rohrabacher. “There were a lot of people who were against it, and it was incredible to win with an amazing group of people to prove a lot of people wrong as well.”

In 2023, the Squeeze featured a unique lineup of players that led the team to victory. Bright, Zane Navratil, and Andrei Daescu were already established pros, while Rohrabacher was the newbie.

She immediately took the opportunity to learn from her veteran teammates.

“They really helped me hone some skills and understand my role. I had never really played the right before,” shared Rohrabacher. “I didn’t understand the women’s role in mixed, and I think they helped me excel on the right because I came into the team having only played the left side. I had to adapt because obviously I was going to be on the right with Anna and Zane, or Andrei on the left.”

Sure, Rohrabacher picked up some technical skills that have strengthened her overall game, and it was the positive coaching from Bright, Navratil, and Daescu that stuck with her the most.

“They were super patient, understanding, and all-around great teammates,” praised Rohrabacher. “I couldn’t have asked for a better team.” 

Although all four of them were drafted to separate squads in 2024, the original contingent will always have incredible memories to carry with them.

Bright and Rohrabacher, meanwhile, continue to reap the benefits of the chemistry they initially built with the Squeeze.

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