League: ATP Sport: Tennis Country: Global Category: Scores & Results

Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters claim double golds in North Carolina

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 1:19 PM

Last updated Sep 7, 2026

Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters claim double golds in North Carolina

Summary

The Professional Pickleball Association opened its 2026-27 season at the Cary Tennis Park in Cary, North Carolina, during a high-heat weather event. Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters secured two gold medals each during the competition. The tournament organizers modified the schedule by splitting play times to mitigate the impact of temperatures reaching the upper 90s. This event marks the first time in league history that bronze medal matches were eliminated from the tournament structure. The season opener also featured early round exits for several top seeds, including Ben Johns, Tyson McGuffin, and Jack Sock. The tour is scheduled to expand internationally with a new series of events in Spain beginning later this month.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters each earned two gold medals at the season opener.
•The tournament took place in extreme heat at the Cary Tennis Park.
•League officials split daily schedules to avoid midday temperature peaks.
•Bronze medal matches were removed from the PPA tournament format for the first time.
•The PPA Spain Tour is scheduled to begin in Barcelona on September 23.

Latest Updates

1:19 PMYahoo Sports — Bright And Waters Claim Double Golds In The North Carolina Heat At The Pro Pickleball Association Season Opener

What they're saying

"
The Professional Pickleball Association kicked off its 2026-27 season in brutal heat conditions in North Carolina. The sport's two top women didn't mind, with both Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright taking home two golds.
— Yahoo Sports

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