From Court to Community: How Anna Bright is Shaping Pickleball's Future

How Anna Bright is Shaping Pickleball's Future

In the rapidly evolving world of professional pickleball, few players have made as significant an impact in such a short time as Anna Bright. From her tennis background to becoming one of the sport's most influential women, Anna’s journey offers valuable lessons about competition, resilience, and the community spirit that makes pickleball special.

The Making of a Pickleball Star

Anna’s story begins in California, where she grew up as the daughter of a Chinese immigrant and the oldest of three sisters. Her early life was shaped by tennis—ranked the number two recruit in the nation, she graduated high school early as valedictorian and went on to excel at UC Berkeley, double-majoring in business administration and data science.

Her path wasn’t without struggles. “I was homeschooled in middle school and I was so awkward,” Anna recalls. “I literally thought I was stupid… I remember crying over Algebra 1.” That mix of vulnerability and determination remains central to her story.

After college, she took on one of her boldest challenges: hiking the Pacific Crest Trail solo. The 2,654-mile trek from Canada to Mexico became a transformative experience. “I wanted to do something beyond the typical mold,” she explains. “Everything had always felt a little easy, and I wanted to break that pattern and really challenge myself.”

Finding Pickleball: Love at First Serve

It was just weeks after finishing the trail that Anna picked up a pickleball paddle for the first time. By October 2021, she was hooked. “I was just so addicted to pickleball,” she admits. “I had nothing else to do… and I was also thinking, ‘How am I going to make friends?’”

Her tennis skills translated seamlessly. “I think I’m far more gifted as a competitor than I ever was as a true tennis player,” she reflects. Quick decision-making, anticipation, and fast hands helped her rise quickly in the sport.

Growing With the Game

In just a few short years, Anna has witnessed—and contributed to—the professionalization of pickleball. Tours like the PPA and Major League Pickleball have elevated the sport’s presentation, while athletes have embraced more serious training regimens. For Anna, strength work and injury prevention are non-negotiables: “I want to be playing this game for a while, and getting stronger has become something I really enjoy.”

The Girlies Pickleball Club

Perhaps most exciting is Anna’s venture into community building with “The Girlies Pickleball Club,” launched alongside fellow pro Rachel Rohrabacher. Their first merch drop sold out in five hours.

“I really want to build out more of a community-based thing,” Anna explains. “We don’t want this to be just people who are fans of Rachel and I—it’s about something bigger.”

The Girlies shows how pickleball can foster belonging beyond the court. Men and women alike are joining in, drawn to the inclusive and playful spirit Anna and Rachel are creating.

Partnerships and Competition

Currently ranked number three in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, Anna continues to sharpen her competitive edge. Her chemistry with Rohrabacher has produced consistent finals appearances, though Waters and Parenteau remain a dominant hurdle.

She also finds unique synergy in mixed doubles, particularly with Dylan Frazier. “For whatever reason, the sum feels greater than the parts,” she notes.

Her admiration for Anna Leigh Waters highlights her analytical side: “If there were 100 skills in pickleball, Anna Leigh would probably be the best at 80 of them.”

Looking Ahead

Anna’s goals are as ambitious as ever. “I want me and Rachel to become that number one team,” she says, while also working toward personal milestones like learning Chinese and expanding The Girlies community.

For her, pickleball is about more than wins—it’s about impact. She’s proud of reaching a point where she can support her family financially and inspire others through her journey.

A Pickleball Lifestyle

Anna’s path offers clear lessons for anyone passionate about pickleball:

1. Balance competition with community.

2. Focus on fundamentals—consistency, decision-making, anticipation.

3. Prioritize injury prevention and strength work.

4. Find partners who bring out your best.

5. Show up with discipline, not just motivation.

Anna Bright represents the exciting future of pickleball—a sport that blends fierce competition with meaningful connections. As the game continues to grow, she is helping define its culture: professional, inclusive, and always centered on community.