Catherine Parenteau Bio
Catherine Parenteau (born August 26, 1994) is a Canadian professional pickleball player widely regarded as one of the most consistent competitors on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour. As of late 2024, she is ranked No. 4 in the world for Women’s Singles, No. 3 in the world for Women’s Doubles, and No. 5 in the world for Women’s Mixed Doubles by the PPA. She is a three-time US Open Champion and has accumulated 16 PPA Tour titles across singles, doubles, and mixed events.
A former NCAA Division I tennis player, Parenteau transitioned from collegiate tennis to pickleball in 2015 and quickly rose through the professional ranks. She is recognized for her steady baseline game, calm demeanor under pressure, and ability to partner with a wide range of doubles teammates. Today she resides in Naples, Florida, where she trains, teaches, and competes full-time on the professional pickleball circuit.
Early Life and Background
Catherine Parenteau was born on August 26, 1994, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She grew up in Montreal and was introduced to tennis at the age of four, developing her hand-eye coordination and competitive instincts on the court from an early age. Her parents supported her athletic development, and the city’s strong tennis culture helped shape her early training environment.
She attended Félix-Leclerc secondary school beginning in 2006, where she continued to refine her tennis game and graduated in 2011. During her teenage years, Parenteau competed in junior tennis events across Quebec and built the disciplined work ethic that would later define her professional career. Her progression through the Canadian junior ranks eventually caught the attention of college recruiters south of the border.
Parenteau enrolled at the University of Arkansas in 2011, joining the Razorbacks’ top-ranked NCAA tennis program. After her initial collegiate period, she transferred to Michigan State University, where she competed as a member of the Michigan State Women’s Tennis Team while majoring in pre-veterinary medicine. She graduated from Michigan State in 2015, completing her academic career alongside a strong run of competitive tennis results.
Path to Pickleball
After completing her college tennis career, Parenteau was introduced to pickleball in 2015 by Simone Jardim, her former coach at Michigan State University. Jardim, a future pickleball legend herself, immediately drew Parenteau into the fast-growing sport. Parenteau took to pickleball quickly, recognizing that the paddle game’s tactical patterns blended well with the footwork and shot tolerance she had developed over years of competitive tennis.
Within roughly six months of picking up a paddle, Parenteau entered the US Open and won the 5.0 mixed bracket, announcing herself as a serious new talent on the professional pickleball scene. The victory validated her decision to pursue the sport competitively, and she began arranging tournaments, training blocks, and coaching commitments around the professional pickleball calendar.
Her rapid ascent drew the attention of major equipment and apparel brands. By August 2023, Parenteau had secured sponsorship deals with Selkirk, a leading pickleball paddle manufacturer, and Skechers, a global footwear company. She also founded her own brand, CP, which sells apparel, water bottles, pickleball paddles, and tour bags in partnership with Takeya and Selkirk, marking her expansion from athlete to entrepreneur.
Catherine Parenteau Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Parenteau turned professional in 2016 and began competing regularly on the emerging professional pickleball circuit. She entered a series of regional and national events, using each tournament to refine her game against established players. Her early professional results reflected the smooth transition from college tennis, particularly in doubles play, where her anticipation and net skills translated directly from her tennis background.
During this period she built a reputation as a reliable doubles partner and a steady singles competitor. She steadily climbed the PPA rankings, drawn by her consistency and willingness to compete in both singles and doubles brackets. Her early competitive experience laid the foundation for the breakthrough results that would follow on the national stage.
US Open Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Parenteau captured her first major title at the 2021 US Open, winning the Pro Women’s Doubles division alongside partner Callie Smith. The victory established her as a major force in doubles competition and served as a springboard for additional high-profile finishes. Following the 2021 triumph, she continued to reach late-round stages at PPA Tour stops and major championships, building one of the most complete resumes in the women’s game.
She added two more US Open titles to her collection, cementing her status as a three-time US Open Champion. Across the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons, Parenteau consistently reached finals and semifinals in both singles and doubles events. Her ranking among the top five in the world in Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, and Women’s Mixed Doubles reflects the breadth of her competitive success.
PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball Era (2023–Present)
In 2023, Parenteau received her PPA Tour Gold Card, a designation reserved for the tour’s top-tier players. The Gold Card status confirmed her position as a full-time professional competitor and granted her entry into the most prestigious PPA Tour events, as well as the Major League Pickleball Tour (MLP). She has since balanced a demanding schedule that combines PPA Tour stops, MLP team commitments, and instructional work in Naples.
She has accumulated 16 PPA Tour titles across her career to date, a haul that includes US Open championships and other marquee tournament wins. Her partnership with major sponsors such as Selkirk and Skechers has also allowed her to compete with custom equipment and apparel tailored to her game. With a full Gold Card slate and an MLP team role, Parenteau remains one of the most visible Canadian players on the international pickleball stage.
Driving Style and Strengths
Parenteau is known for a composed, tactical playing style built on her tennis roots. She thrives on long rallies, excels at redirecting pace from the baseline, and demonstrates reliable net coverage in doubles play. Her footwork and court awareness, refined through years of NCAA tennis, allow her to handle fast-paced exchanges and read opponents’ patterns with consistency, while her calm temperament helps her perform in high-pressure championship moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career milestones, Parenteau’s three US Open titles stand out as defining achievements in her professional journey. Her 2021 US Open Pro Women’s Doubles victory with Callie Smith marked her arrival at the top of the sport, while additional US Open triumphs further cemented her legacy. Receiving the PPA Tour Gold Card in 2023 also signaled her official recognition as one of pickleball’s elite competitors.
Catherine Parenteau Career Wins
Catherine Parenteau has compiled a versatile and consistent record on the PPA Tour, compiling 16 PPA Tour titles and three US Open championships across singles, doubles, and mixed events. Her victories span high-profile PPA Tour stops, Major League Pickleball team events, and US Open brackets, reflecting her ability to compete at a high level in multiple formats. She has also won at the regional and 5.0 levels, including her debut US Open 5.0 mixed title.
US Open Highlights
Parenteau’s signature stage has been the US Open, where she is a three-time champion. She claimed the Pro Women’s Doubles title at the 2021 US Open with Callie Smith, then added two further US Open crowns to her resume in subsequent editions. These victories bookended seasons of consistent late-round appearances at the US Open and helped establish her as one of the most decorated players in the event’s recent history.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her US Open success, Parenteau has won additional PPA Tour titles across women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles brackets. She has regularly reached finals and semifinals at PPA Tour events and contributed strongly to her Major League Pickleball team. She is also an IPTPA-certified instructor and teaches at Collier’s Reserve in Naples, Florida, extending her competitive influence into grassroots development.
Catherine Parenteau Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Catherine Parenteau grew up in a supportive family in Montreal, Quebec, where her parents encouraged her early involvement in tennis. Her Canadian upbringing and Quebec roots remain a meaningful part of her identity, even as she now lives and trains in the United States. The values of discipline and perseverance instilled during her early years continue to shape her approach to professional pickleball.
Personal Life
Parenteau is in a relationship with Athena Trouillot, who is referenced as her spouse in her known facts. As of August 2023, the couple resides together in Naples, Florida, where Parenteau trains and teaches. She maintains strong ties to her Canadian heritage while building her professional life in the United States, and her partner has been a visible presence at tournaments and events throughout her career.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 pickleball season, Catherine Parenteau enters the year as one of the highest-ranked Canadian players on the PPA Tour, holding a No. 4 world ranking in Women’s Singles, No. 3 in Women’s Doubles, and No. 5 in Women’s Mixed Doubles. Her Gold Card status ensures entry into the tour’s marquee events, where she is expected to contend for additional major titles. With 16 PPA Tour crowns already on her resume, 2025 represents an opportunity to expand that total and pursue a fourth US Open championship.
Parenteau’s schedule is expected to balance PPA Tour stops, Major League Pickleball team commitments, and instructional sessions at Collier’s Reserve in Naples. Her established partnerships with Selkirk and Skechers, along with her own CP brand, provide stable off-court support heading into the new season. She is widely viewed as a contender in both singles and doubles draws based on her late-2024 form.
As the pickleball calendar continues to expand with more international stops and larger prize purses, Parenteau’s consistency and tournament experience position her as a steady presence deep into 2025 brackets. Whether chasing another US Open title or contributing to her MLP team’s playoff push, she remains one of the sport’s most reliable and recognizable Canadian stars.
