Waters and Johns Triumph in Humana Championship Finale

Waters and Johns Triumph in Humana Championship Finale

Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns delivered a commanding performance in the mixed doubles final on Humana Championship Court, defeating the No. 4 seeds Catherine Parenteau and Federico Staksrud in a thrilling four-game match: 10-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-3. The top seeds overcame a surprising stumble in the opening game, where they let a 10-6 lead slip away, to ultimately dominate the remainder of the contest and close out their season in style.

Rising Competition Fuels Excitement

Waters reflected on the increasing level of competition in the sport, noting how both the semifinal and final matches in Palm Springs tested their resilience.

“Everybody’s getting better and training super hard, and the defense and athleticism you’re seeing in the sport right now is pretty insane,” Waters said. “We’re seeing some new mixed matchups that Ben and I haven’t played before, like Catherine and Fed and Christian and Tyra. It’s just really exciting for the game to have different matchups and different points.”

Johns echoed her sentiment, highlighting the unique challenge posed by Parenteau and Staksrud.

“Fed was taking more court than usual, and I think that’s partially due to Catherine being very steady and making so many balls,” Johns said. “It gives you the liberty to kind of do what you want. It’s clearly a good partnership, and I hope we see it more.”

Parenteau and Staksrud Make Their Mark

Despite the loss, Parenteau and Staksrud proved their mettle as a formidable duo. Competing in just their second tournament together, they followed up a bronze medal in Kansas City with a silver medal in Palm Springs, further solidifying their position among the top mixed doubles teams.

Staksrud praised Parenteau’s tenacity and credited Waters and Johns for their exceptional performance.

“Catherine is a fighter. Her defense is unbelievable, and I think we made them play three or four more shots than they usually have to in order to put the ball away,” Staksrud said. “[Ben and Anna Leigh] are the standard, and it’s always great to share the court with them. I’m looking forward to more battles with them for sure.”

Bronze Medal Finish for Black and Alshon

The No. 7 seeds, Tyra Black and Christian Alshon, secured the bronze medal after Rachel Rohrabacher and James Ignatowich were forced to withdraw due to Ignatowich’s back injury. Black and Alshon have been steadily climbing the rankings, with their aggressive style and cohesive teamwork earning them recognition as a rising force in the sport.

Waters and Johns: The Dominant Duo

Waters and Johns’ victory adds to their already illustrious record as the premier mixed doubles team in pickleball. With numerous titles under their belts, they remain the gold standard against which all other teams measure themselves. Their ability to adapt mid-match, combined with their unparalleled skill and communication, continues to set them apart.

As the sport evolves and new partnerships emerge, fans can look forward to even more thrilling matchups in the coming year. The growing depth of talent ensures that every tournament will bring fresh challenges and unforgettable moments.