After Agassi became a spectator at the US Open, perhaps the most highly anticipated match remaining in the tournament was in women’ s doubles where the defending champions, the Waters, made their way back into comfortable surroundings— the finals on championship court, where they faced who else but Megan Fudge and her partner, Jillian Braverman.
The first game could not have been scripted any better for Anna Leigh and her mom, Leigh. Racing out to an early lead, they ended up winning 11-0 in a little over eight minutes.
Tennis uses the term“ bageled” when one team or player loses without winning a game or point. In pickleball, the vernacular stays consistent with everything else the sport promotes, using the term“ pickled.” And it certainly left a sour taste in the mouths of Fudge and Braverman.
Game two was a bit more competitive, but when the Waters are on their game, they are almost impossible to beat. They won the gold, polishing it off 11-4, and have now won back-to-back women’ s doubles titles at the US Open.
After missing all of 2023 with a torn ACL, Leigh is starting to play more, increasing her playing schedule in 2025. And if her play at the US Open is any indication, she is back and maybe better than ever. She relishes( sorry for the pun) playing with her daughter and being on the pickleball circuit in general.
“ Each year, the competition gets tougher and tougher, so the fact that I can be on the court with these amazing ladies is truly a joy and a blessing for me.”
When asked about a possible three-peat in 2026, she replied,“ I don’ t know about next year, but I hope so.”
Anna Leigh was a bit more ebullient in talking about spending time with Mom on the pickleball court.“ I was super-excited to play with my mom and to reach the finals, and every time I get to play with her. You never know when it’ s going to be our last time, so I enjoy every time.”
One of the featured pairings in senior men’ s pro doubles was Matt Schiller and his partner, the often-excitable
JF SYLVESTRE WON THE TRIPLE CROWN IN ALL 3 OF THE WHEELCHAIR DIVISIONS AT THE 2025 US OPEN PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
PHOTO BY BRUCE YEUNG; IG: @ YEUNGPHOTOGRAPHY
SHERI COURTER AND MOLLY CARTER WIN THE SENIOR PRO WOMEN ' S DOUBLES DIVISION.
PHOTO BY BRUCE YEUNG; IG: @ YEUNGPHOTOGRAPHY
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