Best Women's Pickleball Players 2026: Top 20 Rankings

Anna Leigh Waters continues to dominate professional pickleball unlike anyone the sport has ever seen. She holds more career gold medals and Triple Crowns than any player in history, and the gap between her and the rest of the field is staggering. But the competition behind her is closer than it has ever been.

At 11 PICKLES, we cover every PPA Tour event and watch every women's bracket. I play every day, I train with pros, and I have strong opinions about these rankings because I have watched every match that shaped them. The women's side of professional pickleball is in the most competitive era the sport has ever seen, and these rankings reflect what is actually happening on the court right now, not last season.

Here are the 20 best women's pickleball players in 2026, with the stats, playing styles, gear, and context that the other rankings lists leave out.

2026 Women's Pickleball Rankings

These rankings are based on 2025 final results and early 2026 performance, weighted toward women's doubles (70%) and mixed doubles (30%), consistent with how the PPA Tour evaluates players.

1. Anna Leigh Waters

Previous ranking: 1 (unchanged)

The numbers are absurd and they keep growing. She is the all-time leader in career gold medals and Triple Crowns. World No. 1 in singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles simultaneously. She has more titles than Anna Bright, JW Johnson, Catherine Parenteau, Christian Alshon, Federico Staksrud, and Andrei Daescu combined.

She signed with Franklin Sports, playing the Franklin C45 Aurelius paddle. She also signed a historic Nike deal, becoming the first pickleball athlete on Nike's global roster. She is the highest-earning woman in professional pickleball.

The gap is narrowing in doubles, but in singles, nobody is close. Read more in our Anna Leigh Waters net worth profile.

Paddle: Franklin C45 Aurelius

Playing style: Complete player. Elite court coverage, surgical shot selection, and the ability to control the pace of every rally. Gets to the kitchen faster than anyone.

2. Anna Bright

Previous ranking: 2 (unchanged)

Anna Bright is the consensus No. 2 woman in the world. She reached 10 women's doubles finals in 2025, winning 6 golds with Waters and earning 4 silvers. She was selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 MLP Draft by St. Louis for a record $1.23 million.

Her partnership with Waters in women's doubles has been dominant. They averaged an 11-2 scoreline over 11 games together at one tournament. At the Mesa Cup, they swept the draw without dropping a game.

Playing style: Technically complete. Strong net game, reliable drives, and excellent court awareness. One of the best pure volleyers on the women's side.

Paddle: JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 14

3. Jorja Johnson

Previous ranking: 3 (unchanged)

Jorja Johnson earned her spot with strong mixed doubles play and a sneaky two-handed backhand that gives opponents fits. She and Tyra Black took down Waters and Bright at the PPA Las Vegas Open in a semifinal upset. She was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2026 MLP Draft by New Jersey.

Some rankings have her tied with Bright. I give Bright the edge because of the deeper finals resume, but Johnson is improving faster than almost anyone on tour.

Playing style: Best pure right-side women's player. Elite at counters. The two-handed backhand is a weapon nobody else in the women's game has at this level.

Paddle: Franklin FS Tour Dynasty 16mm

4. Tyra Black

Previous ranking: 5 (up 1)

One of the best stories in women's pickleball. Tyra Black turned pro in March 2023 and beat the world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters within three months at the Takeya Showcase (11-8, 2-11, 11-3). She is one of the first Black women to reach the top 5 in professional pickleball rankings.

In 2025, she posted 13 podium finishes in women's doubles alone (3 golds, 3 silvers, 7 bronzes). Her defense is outstanding and getting better every tournament.

Playing style: Strong left-side player. Outstanding defense that frustrates opponents. Powerful when she decides to attack.

Paddle: PIKKL Hurricane Pro

5. Catherine Parenteau

Previous ranking: 4 (down 1)

Catherine Parenteau has 112 career professional tournaments and 817 career matches at a 73.6% win rate. Nobody on tour has her level of consistency and longevity. She partnered with Rachel Rohrabacher for 2026 in women's doubles, and the early results are promising.

Read about her Apple Fitness+ partnership.

Playing style: Patient, strategic, and nearly impossible to beat in extended rallies. Exceptional court positioning.

Paddle: Selkirk Boomstik (doubles), SLK Era (singles)

6. Rachel Rohrabacher

Previous ranking: 6 (unchanged)

Rohrabacher is a rising force who joined Selkirk's roster and teamed up with Parenteau for 2026. She and Parris Todd made the Newport Beach women's doubles final together, showing she can compete with multiple partners at the highest level.

Playing style: Athletic, aggressive, and improving rapidly. Strong drives and solid net presence.

Paddle: Selkirk SLK Halo

7. Parris Todd

Previous ranking: 7 (unchanged)

Parris Todd pulled off a rare triple-medal weekend at the 2025 PPA Red Rock Open (gold in mixed, silver in singles, bronze in doubles). She ranks 5th in singles, 6th in women's doubles, and 10th in mixed. That kind of versatility across all three brackets is rare.

Playing style: Aggressive and powerful. Plays with more firepower than most women on tour. Can take over a match when she is on.

Paddle: Selkirk

8. Jade Kawamoto

Previous ranking: 16 (up 8, biggest mover)

The biggest mover in the rankings. Jade and her sister Jackie Kawamoto are a top 3 women's doubles team. They completed a comeback against Johnson and Black for their first PPA title. The sister dynamic gives them a communication and chemistry advantage that manufactured partnerships cannot replicate.

Playing style: Quick hands, smart positioning, and excellent chemistry with her sister.

9. Etta Tuionetoa

Previous ranking: 8 (down 1)

Consistent top 10 presence with strong doubles results throughout 2025. Slight drop reflects the rise of the Kawamoto sisters more than any decline in her own play.

Playing style: Solid all-around game with reliable consistency.

10. Jackie Kawamoto

Previous ranking: 11 (up 1)

Jackie Kawamoto rounds out the top 10 alongside her sister. The Kawamoto partnership is one of the most exciting storylines in women's pickleball heading into the rest of 2026.

Playing style: Complements Jade's game with strong net play and vocal communication.

11-20: The Rest of the Top 20

The depth of the women's field keeps growing. Here is the rest of the top 20:

• 11. Tina Pisnik: Made a Cinderella run to the mixed doubles finals at Newport Beach as a 10 seed, pushing Waters and Johns to 12-10 in the third game.
• 12. Meghan Dizon: Steady top 15 presence with strong doubles consistency.
• 13. Lacy Schneemann: Made the semifinals at two consecutive tournaments with Pisnik, showing consistency as a newer pairing.
• 14. Lea Jansen: Widely considered more talented than her ranking shows. Saved four match points against Kate Fahey in an 80-minute epic at Newport Beach. A resurgence candidate.
• 15. Vivian Glozman: Rising young player with an aggressive style.
• 16. Zoey Wang: International talent adding depth to the field.
• 17. Jessie Irvine: Veteran presence with deep tournament experience.
• 18. Kate Fahey: Ranked No. 2 seed in women's singles at several 2026 events. Her singles game is elite even if the doubles ranking sits lower.
• 19. Kaitlyn Christian: Former tennis pro bringing racket sport crossover talent.
• 20. Callie Smith / Mari Humberg (tied): Both knocking on the door of the top 15.

What Paddles Do the Top Women Use?

Every player on this list has chosen their paddle for a reason. Here is a quick breakdown of what the top 10 play with:

1. Anna Leigh Waters: Franklin C45 Aurelius
2. Anna Bright: JOOLA Scorpeus CFS 14
3. Jorja Johnson: Franklin FS Tour Dynasty 16mm
4. Tyra Black: PIKKL Hurricane Pro
5. Catherine Parenteau: Selkirk Boomstik / SLK Era
6. Rachel Rohrabacher: Selkirk SLK Halo
7. Parris Todd: Selkirk

If you are looking for paddles that play like what the pros use, we have tested several that offer similar performance characteristics at accessible price points:

Luzz Pro 4 Tornazo Pickleball Paddle Review (control and spin, similar feel to what Parenteau looks for in her game)

Luzz Pro 4 Inferno Pickleball Paddle Review (power with a forgiving sweet spot, plays like an aggressive attacking paddle)

Luzz Cannon Pickleball Paddle Kung Fu Panda Review (elongated for reach, great for players who like to dictate from the baseline)

Use code 11PICKLES for 15% off at Luzz.

For solo training to develop your game to the next level, the Tennibot Pickleball Ball Machine ball machine lets you program drills that simulate the patterns these pros use.

Save $50 with code 11PICKLES on the Tennibot Pickleball Ball Machine.

Why These Rankings Matter

Women's professional pickleball has equal prize money, always has. PPA Tour women's pros averaged $260,000 in salary in 2024, more than the highest-paid WNBA player. Anna Bright was drafted No. 1 overall in the MLP Draft for $1.23 million. This is not a sideshow. This is the most competitive and best-compensated women's racket sport league in the world.

The competition is getting deeper every season. Waters is still the best, but the margin is shrinking. Bright, Johnson, and Black are all capable of beating her on any given Sunday. The Kawamoto sisters are the biggest movers in the sport. And the next breakout star could come from anywhere.

And 11 PICKLES, we cover every match, every upset, and every storyline. Check out our PPA tournament coverage for full recaps with results, stats, and analysis. For the men's side, see best pickleball players. Visit our Etsy shop for pickleball apparel, and subscribe to the 11 PICKLES newsletter for gear reviews and strategy content. We are here for all of it.

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Who Is the Best Women's Pickleball Player in 2026?

Anna Leigh Waters is the undisputed No. 1 women's pickleball player. She has 181 career gold medals, 40 Triple Crowns, and is ranked No. 1 in singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles simultaneously. She signed with Franklin Sports and Nike in 2026 and earns an estimated $3 million or more annually.

Who Are the Top 5 Women's Pickleball Players?

The top 5 women's pickleball players in 2026 are: 1. Anna Leigh Waters, 2. Anna Bright, 3. Jorja Johnson, 4. Tyra Black, 5. Catherine Parenteau. Rankings are based on women's doubles (70% weight) and mixed doubles (30% weight) performance across PPA Tour and MLP events.

Do Women Get Equal Pay in Professional Pickleball?

Yes. Pickleball has had equal prize money for men and women from the beginning. Women pros averaged $260,000 in salary in 2024, more than the highest-paid WNBA player. Anna Bright was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2026 MLP Draft for a record $1.23 million.

What Paddle Does Anna Leigh Waters Use?

Anna Leigh Waters uses the Franklin C45 Aurelius paddle after signing a long-term deal with Franklin Sports in 2026. She previously played with Paddletek for seven years. Her new signature paddle line with Franklin is in development.