Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright have teamed up again for the second time this season at the Select Medical Orange County Cup. The two top players are competing as a doubles team after reuniting at the Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships in May, where they won the gold medal. Their return as a team has created a lot of buzz in the pickleball world.
After not playing together for 16 months, Waters and Bright are now training regularly in South Florida, where both live. Their shared location has allowed them to improve their chemistry and spend more time practicing as a duo.
Practicing and Learning Together
Anna Bright spoke about how the partnership has been going so far.“We played one tournament together and one win so far this season, so things are going well. We’re also getting to practice together a lot,” (Anna Bright)
at Major League Pickleball Daytona Beach.
Bright also shared how she learns by watching Anna Leigh Waters.
“Honestly, a lot of it is learning by osmosis. I think one of the good things about my game is that I’m good at seeing what other people can do and copying it,”. “I’ve always watched her and looked to her as someone to copy, so it doesn’t feel too different. We’re just on the same side of the court now.”(Anna Bright)
Facing New Challenges as a Team
Anna Bright spoke about how it feels to play with someone she used to face across the net.
“It’s a balancing act. Anna Leigh is the standard for our sport and she’s this pedestal that I’ve been chasing, chasing, chasing,”. “I’m still going to do the things I’m good at, but it’s an adjustment. It’s been a while since we played together, but there’s a high level of familiarity because we’ve had so many battles against each other.”(Anna Bright)
Anna Leigh Waters shared her reason for teaming up with Bright again.
“Anna is a severe competitor on the court. Anybody who’s played against Anna knows they’re going to get her best and they’re going to get the fire. That was something I was excited for,”. “She speeds up every ball and it works, and her aggression is amazing. I’m hoping that our aggression together is awesome.”(Anna Leigh Waters)
Waters Explains Her Decision
On the Pickleballers Podcast, hosts Roscoe Bellamy and Jared Paul asked Anna Leigh Waters why she chose Anna Bright over other top players like Jorja Johnson, Tyra Hurricane Black, and Parris Todd.
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Waters explained that trust and familiarity were key.
“Anna and I played together in the past and we did well, so I’m comfortable with her, and her game style is similar to Catherine [Parenteau]. Anna is more aggressive than Catherine, but she plays similar,”. “When I play against Tyra and Jorja, I don’t necessarily know what they’re going to do, so playing with them might have freaked me out a little bit more than Anna, who I’d played with before.”(Anna Leigh Waters)
Looking Ahead
Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright are currently the No. 1 seeds, but with several teams returning to action after a break, they face tough competition ahead. While their skills and bond make them favorites, each match remains a chance for others to challenge them.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright
Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright are back as a doubles team at the Select Medical Orange County Cup. After winning gold in Atlanta, they’ve been practicing together in South Florida. Waters chose Bright for her aggressive play and past success. Their strong start signals they’ll be tough to beat.
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