Kate Fahey Captures PPA Finals Singles Crown After Dominant Win Over Brooke Buckner
The women’s singles draw at the 2026 Toys “R” Us PPA Finals felt completely different the moment Anna Leigh Waters officially withdrew from the event.
For the first time in a long time, the path to a major PPA singles title no longer required defeating the most dominant player in the sport — and Kate Fahey made sure to capitalize on the opportunity.
Under the California sun in San Clemente, Fahey delivered one of the most commanding performances of her season, defeating Brooke Buckner 11-0, 11-9 to capture the women’s singles championship at the Toys “R” Us PPA Finals.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
The opening game was nothing short of stunning.
Fahey stormed through the first set 11-0, completely overwhelming Buckner with relentless pace, precise passing shots, and total control from the baseline. Every rally seemed to reinforce the same reality: Fahey had entered championship mode.
To her credit, Brooke Buckner responded with far more resistance in the second game, extending rallies and forcing several physical exchanges that briefly shifted the momentum. But every time the pressure increased, Fahey found another answer.
Whether it was her depth off the return, her ability to redirect pace, or her calm composure during long rallies, Fahey consistently looked like the player in control of the moment.
The victory represents one of the most important titles of Kate Fahey’s career and further confirms her rise as one of the biggest threats in women’s professional pickleball.
And while the absence of Anna Leigh Waters will inevitably become part of the conversation surrounding this championship, Fahey still had to navigate the pressure, the expectations, and the spotlight that came with an unexpectedly open draw.
In San Clemente, she did exactly that — and walked away with gold.
The women’s singles draw at the 2026 Toys “R” Us PPA Finals felt completely different the moment Anna Leigh Waters officially withdrew from the event.
For the first time in a long time, the path to a major PPA singles title no longer required defeating the most dominant player in the sport — and Kate Fahey made sure to capitalize on the opportunity.
Current Issue
The Kings of Naples: Champions Take Center Stage in Dink Authority Magazine – May 2026
Read Now →
Under the California sun in San Clemente, Fahey delivered one of the most commanding performances of her season, defeating Brooke Buckner 11-0, 11-9 to capture the women’s singles championship at the Toys “R” Us PPA Finals.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
The opening game was nothing short of stunning.
Fahey stormed through the first set 11-0, completely overwhelming Buckner with relentless pace, precise passing shots, and total control from the baseline. Every rally seemed to reinforce the same reality: Fahey had entered championship mode.
To her credit, Brooke Buckner responded with far more resistance in the second game, extending rallies and forcing several physical exchanges that briefly shifted the momentum. But every time the pressure increased, Fahey found another answer.
Whether it was her depth off the return, her ability to redirect pace, or her calm composure during long rallies, Fahey consistently looked like the player in control of the moment.
The victory represents one of the most important titles of Kate Fahey’s career and further confirms her rise as one of the biggest threats in women’s professional pickleball.
And while the absence of Anna Leigh Waters will inevitably become part of the conversation surrounding this championship, Fahey still had to navigate the pressure, the expectations, and the spotlight that came with an unexpectedly open draw.
In San Clemente, she did exactly that — and walked away with gold.
