Anna Leigh Waters Redefines Greatness
By The Pickleball Weekly Editorial Team • Oct 29, 2025 • 5 min read
WHEN ANNA LEIGH Waters walked onto the courts at the PPA Rate Vegas Cup, all eyes were already on her. The 18-year-old phenom didn’t disappoint. She swept the weekend—winning women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles—to capture her 37th career Triple Crown, more than any other player in professional pickleball history.
From Storm to Stardom
Her journey began unexpectedly. In 2017, as her family evacuated Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma, Anna Leigh’s grandfather introduced her to pickleball on a quiet community court in Pennsylvania. What began as a way to pass the time soon became a full-blown passion, and ultimately, one of the most remarkable rise-to-fame stories in modern sports.
By age 10, she was collecting local titles. At 12, she became the youngest professional pickleball player in history. Teaming up with her mother Leigh Waters, a former NCAA Division I tennis standout, she developed an aggressive, high-speed playing style that revolutionized the women’s game. Instead of relying on patience and placement, the Waters duo brought relentless pace, drive, and confidence to every rally. They as the only mother-daughter team in pro pickleball.
The Evolution of a Champion
Six years later, that same tenacity has made Anna Leigh the sport’s most dominant player. She holds the world’s No. 1 ranking in women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, a feat unmatched at any age.
Her game is a masterclass in balance: power meets precision, aggression meets control. In singles, she attacks early, using explosive transitions to keep opponents off balance. In doubles, her anticipation and court vision make her nearly untouchable at the kitchen line. And in mixed play, her synergy with Ben Johns, the sport’s top-ranked male player, has become a blueprint for elite teamwork. Together, they’ve formed a nearly unbeatable partnership, winning 16 of 17 major tournaments in 2024.
Records, Revenue, and Reach
Waters’ record book is growing as fast as her fanbase.
- 165 career titles (55 singles, 53 women’s doubles, 57 mixed doubles)
- 37 Triple Crowns, the most in professional pickleball
- $3 million+ in prize money and endorsements
Her partnerships with Paddletek and FILA underscore her impact beyond the court. She’s not just an athlete. She’s a brand, an influencer, and an ambassador for pickleball’s rapid global growth. From ESPN broadcasts to international exhibitions, her reach is bringing new fans and especially young women into the game.
Inside the Mind of a Champion
What sets Waters apart isn’t just her speed or shot-making. It’s her mindset. Teammates and competitors alike point to her mental strength as her defining quality. She’s known for studying match footage, visualizing points, and maintaining laser focus even under pressure. Her motto, “Play fearless,” isn’t a catchphrase. It’s a competitive philosophy that guides every match she plays.
That unwavering mental discipline, combined with a work ethic well beyond her years, has made her both a formidable opponent and a role model for the next gen.
The Waters Era Has Only Just Begun
At 18, Anna Leigh Waters has already accomplished what few athletes achieve in a lifetime. Yet, she continues to push boundaries; testing new strategies, fine-tuning her game, and setting her sights on expanding pickleball’s global footprint.
Whether she’s lifting another trophy, mentoring young players, or inspiring millions through her fearless style, one thing is certain: Anna Leigh Waters isn’t just shaping and the game. She’s defining its future.
The Pickleball Editorial Team produces in-depth reporting and cover features that examine the sport’s growth, innovation, competition, and culture. With contributors who understand both the strategy of the game and the forces shaping its future, the team is committed to telling the full story of modern pickleball.
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