Anna Leigh Waters is one of the biggest names in pickleball, and this profile covers her career highlights, rankings, personal life, sponsors, and the key facts fans want to know.
Basics
Full Name: Anna Leigh Waters
Nationality: American
Born: January 26, 2007 (Age 18)
Birthplace: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Height: 5’6″ (167.6 cm)
Current Residence: Boynton Beach, Florida
Playing Style: Right-handed
Year Turned Pro: 2019
Languages: English (fluent)
Career Prize Money: $600,000+ (tournament winnings)
Total Career Earnings: $3+ million (2024, including sponsorships)
DUPR Rating: 6.658 / 6.734
Astrological Sign: Aquarius
Record
Current Status: World #1 in Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles (PPA Tour)
PPA Tour Rankings: #1 across all three divisions
DUPR Rating: 6.488 (Singles), 6.453 (Doubles)
Career Medal Count: 163+ total gold medals (as of 2025)
PPA Titles: 152+ career titles (all-time leader among women)
Notable Achievement: Achieved the ‘Triple 50’ at the Orange County Cup in 2025, winning 50 titles each in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Major Achievements:
- 35 Triple Crowns (most by any player, male or female)
- Youngest professional pickleball player in history (age 12)
- Youngest tournament champion in history
- 31 titles with former partner Catherine Parenteau
- 69-match winning streak in singles (2024)
- Only mother-daughter team in professional pickleball (with Leigh Waters)
- Featured in the first nationally televised pickleball match (CBS Sports, 2022)
- First pickleball player invited to the ESPYs, highlighting her impact on the sport.
- As of March 2025, Anna Leigh Waters had won 148 gold medals.
Socials
Instagram: @anna.leigh.waters – 124K+ followers
X (Twitter): @AnnaLeighWaters – 10.1K followers
Facebook: Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters – 14.7K followers
Tour Profile: PPA Tour Official Page
Forbes Profile: Forbes 30 Under 30
Bio
Anna Leigh Waters transformed from a 10-year-old soccer player into pickleball’s biggest star in just a few short years. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, she moved to Clinton, North Carolina, then settled in Delray Beach, Florida, where she was a competitive soccer player until discovering pickleball during Hurricane Irma evacuations in 2017.
A significant change that elevated her game was switching to prescription glasses and adjusting her training regimen, which helped her see the ball better and improve her performance.
Initially partnering with her mother, Leigh Waters (former NCAA Division I tennis player at the University of South Carolina), the duo pioneered an aggressive “banging and ripping” style that revolutionized women’s pickleball. Their dominance and control on the court set them apart from competitors.
Rather than the traditional patient dinking game, they brought speed and power that captivated audiences and changed how the sport is played. In mixed doubles, Anna Leigh Waters generally partners with Ben Johns, forming one of the most formidable teams in the sport. Waters has consistently competed against top players like Anna Bright, Catherine Parenteau, and Jorja Johnson.
Career Timeline:
- 2017: Introduced to pickleball during Hurricane Irma evacuation
- 2017: Won first gold medal at age 10 in Women’s Doubles
- 2019: Turned professional at age 12 (youngest in history)
- 2022: First nationally televised pickleball match on CBS Sports
- 2024: Earned over $3 million (highest in pickleball history)
- 2025: Currently at 163+ gold medals and counting
Known for her infectious smile, competitive fire, and ability to balance teenage life with professional dominance. Has played exhibition matches with celebrities including Michael Phelps, Jamie Foxx, Sugar Ray Leonard, and golf stars Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth.
Personal
Family: Parents played D1 college sports; mother Leigh Waters serves as coach and manager (“momager”)
Early Sports: Competitive tennis and soccer player before pickleball
Residence: Travels with family to tournaments while maintaining base in Delray Beach
Interests: Soccer, shopping, cooking, fashion
Education: Recently graduated from high school (2024)
Philosophy: Balances being a “normal teenager” with professional excellence
Community Impact: Promotes pickleball accessibility and growth, especially among youth
Representation: Waters is represented by Octagon, a major sports management agency
Partners
Current Paddle:
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14.3mm Carbon Fiber
Major Sponsors:
- Fila (Apparel and footwear partner)
- Paddletek (Signature paddle line since 2023)
- The5s Pickleball (Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 bio)
Business Ventures:
- VaynerSports athlete representation
- Signature paddle line with Paddletek
- Brand ambassador roles and endorsements
- Media appearances and content creation
FAQs
Why does Anna Leigh Waters wear prescription glasses?
Waters needs prescription eyewear for vision correction and switched to specialized Pilla Performance Eyewear, which enhances visual clarity, color perception, reduces fatigue, and provides crucial eye protection.
What weight paddle does Anna Leigh Waters actually use?
Her Paddletek Bantam ALW-C starts at 7.6 ounces, but she customizes it with lead tape to reach 8.4 ounces for increased power and stability on court.
What are Anna Leigh Waters’ main hobbies off the court?
Besides pickleball, Waters enjoys cooking (planning a YouTube cooking channel), fashion, shopping, travel, and gaming. Cooking has become her primary passion outside competitive play currently.
Is Anna Leigh Waters planning to attend college?
Waters graduated high school in 2024 but hasn’t publicly announced college plans. She’s currently focused on professional pickleball, earning over three million dollars annually from tournaments and sponsorships.
