Anna Leigh Waters Withdraws From Singles, Reshaping the PPA Finals
Anna Leigh Waters Withdraws From Singles, Reshaping the PPA Finals
Kate Fahey emerges as the player to watch in a women’s draw suddenly wide open without Waters.
The women’s singles landscape at the Toys “R” Us PPA Finals 2026 changed dramatically before the tournament even officially began.
Anna Leigh Waters, the most dominant player in the sport and the top qualifier for the event, has decided not to compete in women’s singles, although she will still participate in both doubles divisions. The news was officially confirmed by the PPA Tour and immediately altered the competitive narrative surrounding championship week.
Waters’ absence creates a scenario the women’s circuit has not experienced in quite some time: a major tournament where the road to the title does not necessarily go through defeating her.
And in the middle of that new reality, one name immediately moves to the center of the conversation: Kate Fahey.
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Fahey arrives at the Finals carrying momentum, confidence, and arguably the strongest form of her career. Following an impressive run in Atlanta — including a demanding final against Waters herself — the American now rises into the No. 1 seed position in the women’s singles draw.
The PPA Tour has already highlighted Fahey as one of the event’s key players to watch, signaling that this could be the week she fully establishes herself as a true championship contender at the highest level.
Still, the draw is far from easy.
The new round robin format adds another layer of pressure and consistency, forcing players to maintain a high level throughout pool play before even reaching the semifinals.
Fahey shares her group with two dangerous veterans in Lea Jansen and Catherine Parenteau, both experienced enough to completely shift the direction of the tournament at any moment.
On the other side of the draw, players such as Kaitlyn Christian and Brooke Buckner also become significantly more dangerous with Waters absent, turning the event into one of the most unpredictable women’s singles tournaments of the season.
Beyond the competition itself, Waters stepping away from singles creates an intriguing dynamic for the sport. Even if only for one week, the women’s division now has the opportunity to show what a championship race looks like without the player who has defined the modern era of pickleball.
And that may be the most fascinating storyline of all.
This is no longer only about who wins the trophy.
It is about discovering who is truly ready to seize the moment when the sport — even temporarily — leaves a small opening behind its biggest star.
Anna Leigh Waters Withdraws From Singles, Reshaping the PPA Finals
Kate Fahey emerges as the player to watch in a women’s draw suddenly wide open without Waters.
The women’s singles landscape at the Toys “R” Us PPA Finals 2026 changed dramatically before the tournament even officially began.
Anna Leigh Waters, the most dominant player in the sport and the top qualifier for the event, has decided not to compete in women’s singles, although she will still participate in both doubles divisions. The news was officially confirmed by the PPA Tour and immediately altered the competitive narrative surrounding championship week.
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Waters’ absence creates a scenario the women’s circuit has not experienced in quite some time: a major tournament where the road to the title does not necessarily go through defeating her.
And in the middle of that new reality, one name immediately moves to the center of the conversation: Kate Fahey.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fahey arrives at the Finals carrying momentum, confidence, and arguably the strongest form of her career. Following an impressive run in Atlanta — including a demanding final against Waters herself — the American now rises into the No. 1 seed position in the women’s singles draw.
The PPA Tour has already highlighted Fahey as one of the event’s key players to watch, signaling that this could be the week she fully establishes herself as a true championship contender at the highest level.
Still, the draw is far from easy.
The new round robin format adds another layer of pressure and consistency, forcing players to maintain a high level throughout pool play before even reaching the semifinals.
Fahey shares her group with two dangerous veterans in Lea Jansen and Catherine Parenteau, both experienced enough to completely shift the direction of the tournament at any moment.
On the other side of the draw, players such as Kaitlyn Christian and Brooke Buckner also become significantly more dangerous with Waters absent, turning the event into one of the most unpredictable women’s singles tournaments of the season.
Beyond the competition itself, Waters stepping away from singles creates an intriguing dynamic for the sport. Even if only for one week, the women’s division now has the opportunity to show what a championship race looks like without the player who has defined the modern era of pickleball.
And that may be the most fascinating storyline of all.
This is no longer only about who wins the trophy.
It is about discovering who is truly ready to seize the moment when the sport — even temporarily — leaves a small opening behind its biggest star.
