On April 6th, 2025, Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau stepped onto the court at the Veolia North Carolina Open for what would unknowingly be their final match together. Facing Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black in the final, they dominated Game 1 eleven to one — but Johnson and Black stormed back to win three straight games and take the title 1-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7. It was a historic upset — the first time Waters and Parenteau had ever lost a final to anyone other than Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher. Less than 24 hours after the loss, the partnership was officially over.
Together, Waters and Parenteau were the most dominant duo women's pickleball had ever seen. They finished with a 155-6 all-time record, a 96% win rate, and 31 titles — going an incredible 31-4 in finals. In 2023 alone, they won every single tournament they entered. From the outside, nothing looked broken. But one loss changed everything — and the greatest partnership in pickleball history was done.