A Docuseries That Pulls No Punches
That curtain lifts on 5 May 2026 with PARTNERS, a six-episode docuseries debuting across Prime Video, the PPA Tour YouTube channel, and PickleballTV. Often described as a “travelling high school,” the PPA Tour becomes a stage for drama that goes far beyond the court. Instead, PARTNERS dives deep into the intensity of life on tour—where ambition fuels friendships, rivalries blur personal lines, and every decision carries consequences.
Key Takeaways from "PARTNERS"
- Unveiling the Drama: The six-part docuseries, PARTNERS, premieres May 5, 2026, across Prime Video, PPA Tour YouTube, and PickleballTV.
- Behind-the-Scenes Access: It exposes the intense personal rivalries, complex relationships, and "traveling high school" dynamic of the pro tour.
- Anna Leigh Waters' Power: Witness how the sport's dominant queen, Anna Leigh Waters, wields her influence to reshape critical partnerships.
- Pickleball's Legitimacy: The series chronicles the PPA Tour's rapid ascent and its players' sacrifices, solidifying the sport's place in the professional landscape.
The Cost of Chemistry: Inside the Partnership Game
In pickleball, partnerships are everything—and in PARTNERS, they’re anything but stable. The series reveals a tightly woven ecosystem where players train, travel, and socialise together, only to face each other in high-stakes matches hours after personal conflicts or breakups.
At the centre stands Anna Leigh Waters, the teenage phenom dominating the women’s game. Still just 18, she commands influence both on and off the court, reportedly out-earning stars in other professional leagues. Her decisions reshape the competitive landscape; none more striking than her move to break up a dominant doubles pairing with a single call.
Stories From Every Corner of the Tour
PARTNERS follows a diverse cast of players, each chasing validation at the top:
The Challengers
Anna Bright takes bold risks, even dissolving a fan-favourite partnership to close the gap on Waters. Meanwhile, Catherine Parenteau and Rachel Rohrabacher—both impacted by roster shakeups—form an unexpected alliance that could disrupt the hierarchy.
The Gamblers
On the men’s side, Ben Johns makes a stunning decision to leave a successful partnership with his brother, choosing instead to gamble on rising talent Gabe Tardio. It’s a move that could redefine his legacy.
The Heartbreak Duo
Former couple Parris Todd and Hunter Johnson confront the challenge of competing after a very public breakup, turning personal pain into on-court intensity.
The Grinders
From Federico Staksrud’s daily self-affirmations to Matt Wright pushing through physical setbacks alongside Jaume Martinez-Vich, the series highlights the relentless grind required to stay competitive.
A Sport Building Its Legacy in Real Time
According to PPA Tour CEO Connor Pardoe, the sacrifices made by these athletes are often underestimated. Filmed during a pivotal season, PARTNERS captures a league still in its infancy, racing to establish credibility and legacy. With personalities like Christian Alshon bringing raw intensity and Tyra Black aiming to topple the reigning queen, the drama feels less like storytelling and more like reality unfolding at full speed.
