How we should view the Waters/Patriquin spat in Orlando
The 2025 MLP season opened with electric play in Orlando — but what’s making headlines isn’t the action on court, it’s the tension between Anna Leigh Waters and Hayden Patriquin during the high-stakes New Jersey vs. St. Louis match.
Following a heated exchange where Patriquin reportedly called Waters a “fing bh,” chaos briefly unfolded. Waters charged toward the St. Louis bench, restrained by officials as tempers flared and benches barked. Although no physical confrontation occurred, the incident set the tone for a fiery finish — punctuated by a targeted drive from Zane Navratil at Gabe Tardio, who, to his credit, handled it with class.
MLP’s Monday statement was… mild at best. A brief nod to bad language, a slap on the wrist to Waters for charging, and an awkward “let’s move on” tone that downplays the seriousness of it all.
So how should we view this?
1. Waters and Patriquin are fierce competitors — but when the line between rivalry and disrespect is crossed, it becomes bigger than the match.
2. MLP is growing fast, but moments like this test whether it’s ready to manage big-league egos with big-league accountability.
3. The fans are watching — and many are split. Some love the fire, others worry about what it means for the sport’s values.
Bottom Line:
MLP has a culture decision to make. Will it embrace the drama and intensity like the UFC or the NBA? Or will it demand higher standards from its rising stars?
Because one thing is clear: what happened in Orlando won’t be forgotten — and it might just be the moment that changed Major League Pickleball’s tone forever.