If there’s one thing pro pickleball is missing, it’s a true rivalry.

I’ve always believed rivalries elevate a sport. They add tension, storylines, and a reason to keep watching. Right now, the closest thing we’ve got might be brewing between Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin.

And honestly? It’s great for the game.

The first real flashpoint came last year at MLP Orlando. After the New Jersey 5s took the mixed match, tensions boiled over—Patriquin fired off a heated comment, and Waters didn’t hesitate to confront him on the spot.

It was the moment that shook the picklesphere.

Seeing Waters show that kind of emotion felt out of character. She’s faced plenty of tough opponents and heard her share of chirping over the years, but there’s something about Patriquin that clearly gets under her skin.

And when those two meet on court, you can feel it.

Every matchup carries a different kind of intensity, an edge that goes beyond the scoreline. The tension is almost tangible, especially in Major League Pickleball, where the stakes and emotions run even higher.

At this point, whenever Patriquin and Waters go head-to-head, it’s appointment viewing. Maybe Patriquin celebrates a little too hard. Maybe Waters fires something back across the net. Either way, something’s going to happen.

And that’s exactly why you can’t look away.

Most recently, it all flared up again at MLP Orlando—and at this point, you have to wonder: what is it about these two in Orlando? Why does the beef get turned up to 11 every time they’re in Central Florida? Is it the proximity to Walt Disney World and the urge to put on a show? Whatever the reason, it works. And frankly, it’s electric.

At this year’s event, the rivalry took center stage in mixed doubles, delivering the marquee match of the day.

Patriquin was in full form, yelling right across the net after a big point, while Waters fired right back. The back-and-forth wasn’t just entertaining; it elevated the level of play. Both players fed off the tension, the crowd, and each other, producing moments that will live on the 2026 highlight reel.

And then came the moment everyone will remember: Patriquin breaking into a dance after a net cord went his way.

Even Leigh Waters, Waters’ mom and coach, got a kick out of it. “This was actually really funny,” she commented on Instagram.

Anna Leigh has always been an emotional competitor, but her intensity shows up as fire, not frustration. She’s not one to break a paddle or unravel, she channels it. When she gets amped, she gets sharp, a little sassy, and a lot more dangerous. And when that side of the World No. 1 comes out, it’s must-watch.

There’s just something about Patriquin that brings it out of her. Put them on opposite sides of the net, and chances are, you’re going to see that edge and all the entertainment that comes with it.

For Patriquin, though, it’s all part of the experience. “Even though I lost, this was the most fun I’ve ever had on court,” he shared on Instagram.

That’s what makes this rivalry work. It’s competitive, but still lighthearted—fiery without crossing the line. And more importantly, it consistently delivers high-level pickleball. Waters and Patriquin aren’t just trading words; they’re pushing each other to play better. Too often, rivalries fall flat when one side clearly has the upper hand. That’s not the case here. When these two meet, it genuinely feels like a toss-up.

There’s also an added layer that makes it even more entertaining: they’re both part of the Franklin Sports roster. One of the brand’s taglines is “Franklin Family”—and if that’s the case, this is the kind of family dynamic that feels a little too familiar. Think less picture-perfect and more Thanksgiving dinner when someone brings up politics.

All of which is to say: here’s hoping the New Jersey 5s and the St. Louis Shock meet with a title on the line. Because if Patriquin and Waters square off again in a championship setting, you can bet the intensity and the entertainment will hit another level.

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