Catherine Parenteau discusses breakup with Anna Leigh Waters

We went to the biggest pickleball tournament ever

November 11, 2025

 

The PPA Tour has seen huge growth since its first event in Mesa, Arizona, in February 2020. There were 600 players and about 2,000 fans at that tournament.

Fast forward to the tour’s 100th event last week at the Pickleball World Championships in Dallas: More than 3,500 players competed across all divisions, and another 55,000 spectators passed through the gates throughout the week.

"I think we all knew where pickleball could head, but the fact that we got here so quick, everybody should be real proud,” PPA Tour Founder and CEO Connor Pardoe told the massive crowd gathered on Championship Court between matches on Saturday.

The Kitchen team was on-site all week to capture the biggest pickleball celebration of the year, which included celebrity exhibitions, incredible pro matches, concerts and more activities along Pickleball Boulevard. More below.

Also in this issue:

  • Catherine Parenteau discusses her breakup with Anna Leigh Waters 🎧

  • Love to see it: Women on the attack vs. men 💃

  • Proton releases new Project Flamingo shapes, thicknesses 🦩

  • 3 simple tips to improve your singles game 💡

Let’s get cookin’. 🧑‍🍳

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Pickleball is the great gender equalizer

One of the reasons we all love pickleball is that it levels the playing field between young and old, short and tall, men and women, etc.

The fact that it’s difficult to simply overpower the game is what allows women to go on the attack vs. men with a good chance to come out on top. Take this point for example. The woman in red is about to rip a two-handed backhand at the man in front of her, setting herself up for a winner a couple shots later.

We love to see it.

🔗 Check out this point on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok

PICKLEBALLERS

Catherine Parenteau on her breakup with Anna Leigh Waters

In case you missed it last week, Catherine Parenteau and her coach (and wife) Athena Trouillot joined Pickleballers for a wide-open conversation about love, pressure and what it takes to sustain greatness.

In addition to compelling insights from Parenteau on her career and the shocking breakup with Anna Leigh Waters, Athena shares the story from her side — how their relationship began, why coaching your spouse is both tricky and rewarding, and how they’ve built a small team and brand around Catherine’s career.

If you enjoy behind-the-scenes stories from the top players in the game and practical takeaways on building a career in pickleball, this one’s a must-watch.

🔗 Check out the latest episode of Pickleballers on YouTube or Spotify

THE PROS

Federico Staksrud, Hayden Patriquin snap title drought at Pickleball World Championships

Federico Staksrud and Hayden Patriquin have been one of the most consistent men's doubles teams on the PPA Tour in 2025, playing together in 12 tournaments and winning seven medals. But until Sunday they had yet to find the winner's circle together this year.

They finally broke through in the biggest event of the season, claiming gold at the Pickleball World Championships in Dallas and earning the 3,000 ranking points that were up for grabs this week -- more points than any other event on the calendar.

Their run to Championship Sunday included an emotional win over No. 1 seed Ben Johns and Gabe Tardio (11-8, 11-5) in the semifinals on Saturday. They backed it up with a win over JW Johnson and CJ Klinger (8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8) in Sunday's final, giving Patriquin back-to-back men's doubles titles at this event after he won last year with Riley Newman.

Their first win of the season comes on the heels of a major strategy decision that Staksrud and Patriquin made recently, putting Patriquin on the left and allowing him to take more court and create offense. Staksrud had almost exclusively played the left since they first started playing together last year.

"I don't care about how we win, I just want to win," Staksrud said afterward. "If that's me hitting one ball a match, so be it. I don't care. I'm so proud of this kid, how good he's gotten. When he started playing with me, I had to take the thirds on his side, and now he's taking the thirds from everywhere on the court. It's unbelievable.

"He's getting better and better. He's going to be the best player in the world."

WATERS BECOMES WINNINGEST PLAYER EVER

Anna Leigh Waters became the winningest player in PPA Tour history this weekend, collecting her 38th Triple Crown and 168th PPA Tour title overall, moving her one ahead of Ben Johns for most all-time.

"I'm feeling so much gratitude, so much happiness," said Waters, who hasn't lost a singles match in more than 500 days. "This was a (3,000-point tournament), so if there's one tournament I wanted to Triple Crown, it was definitely this one."

INSTRUCTIONAL

Understanding singles pickleball strategy: Key plays to memorize

Singles pickleball is a whole different beast compared to doubles. It’s faster, more physically demanding and often more mentally challenging.

Without a partner to rely on, every shot, step and decision falls on you. But that’s the beauty of it — it sharpens your game and exposes your strengths and weaknesses like nothing else.

Whether you’re a beginner stepping onto the court solo for the first time or an intermediate player looking to dominate, understanding key singles pickleball strategies can make all the difference.

Here are three plays to memorize that will elevate your singles game and keep your opponents guessing.

  1. A deep serve is crucial: In singles, the serve isn’t just a formality to start the point — it’s an offensive weapon. A deep, powerful serve forces your opponent to stay back at the baseline, making it harder for them to approach the kitchen quickly or control the point with precision.

  2. Approach the net strategically: This is the golden rule in singles pickleball. Whoever controls the kitchen line controls the point. But rushing to the net without the right setup is a recipe for getting passed. Wait until your opponent is off-balance or stretching for the return, then seize the opportunity to move up to the kitchen.

  3. Target the backhand: Most players struggle with their backhand under pressure. Make it your default target unless they prove otherwise.

Do you regularly play singles?

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PADDLE CORNER

Proton releases new shapes, thicknesses of popular Project Flamingo paddle

Proton this week released a new widebody shape and multiple thicknesses of its popular Project Flamingo pickleball paddle.

Both the new widebody version and the original elongated version now come in 13mm and 15mm thickness options. The 13mm model offers more pop and maneuverability at the kitchen line, compared to the more plush-feeling 15mm model.

Proton says the widebody version offers more forgiveness while still generating top-tier spin and power. It features the same "Velocity Core" that made the original Project Flamingo a popular choice among pros and high-level amateurs and earned the paddle a reputation as one of the most aggressive on the market.

Proton was also able to reduce both the static weight and the swingweight with the new widebody models.

SHOP THE NEW PROJECT FLAMINGO MODELS — Use code "Kitchen" at checkout to receive 10% off

QUICK HITS

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