Anna Leigh Waters: The Youngest Pickleball Champion Redefining the Sport

Anna Leigh Waters stands as the most dominant athlete in modern pickleball, a true phenom who has rewritten the record books before turning 18. Anna Leigh Waters is widely recognized as pickleball's world champion and is ranked world number one, emphasizing her global standing and historic significance in the sport. For fans following the professional tour and gear brands watching equipment trends, her rise represents everything exciting about where this sport is headed.

Born January 26, 2007, this Florida native turned pro at just 12 years old in 2019, becoming the youngest professional pickleball player in history. Since then, she has climbed to world No. 1 rankings in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles on the PPA Tour—a feat no other player has matched at her age.

Her stats tell a remarkable story:

Category	Achievement
Pro Gold Medals	180+ and counting
Triple Crowns	39+ (sweeping singles, doubles, and mixed at the same event)
Singles Win Streak	89 consecutive matches (as of late 2025)
World Rankings	No. 1 in all three disciplines

Waters has a career win rate of 93.6% in over 872 career matches as of January 2026.

Anna Leigh’s remarkable talent shines through her aggressive style and fast-paced playing style, which she developed alongside her mother and coach, Leigh Waters. Anna Leigh's remarkable talent is a key reason why brands seek her for endorsements, as she has won more than 180 gold medals and numerous titles. Together, they form professional pickleball’s only mother-daughter duo competing at the highest level.

The rest of this article explores her origin story, her evolution as pickleball’s world champion, and how top players like her influence high-performance gear choices—including premium pickleball bags and equipment built for serious competitors.

Introduction to the Champion

Anna Leigh Waters is a name that has become synonymous with excellence in the world of pickleball. As the youngest professional pickleball player to have ever competed, Anna Leigh has redefined the sport with her aggressive style and remarkable talent. With a career spanning numerous gold medals and accolades, she is widely regarded as pickleball’s world champion and the most dominant athlete in professional pickleball. Her journey began when her family evacuated Florida during Hurricane Irma, and her grandfather introduced her to the sport in Pennsylvania. This chance encounter sparked a passion that would drive her to become a true phenom in the sport.

As a Florida native, Anna Leigh balances her professional career with a fierce determination that has earned her a passionate following. Her fast-paced playing style and competitive spirit have made her a force to be reckoned with on the court, and her commitment to the sport has inspired countless young athletes. With her mother, Leigh Waters, as her coach and manager, Anna Leigh has formed an unbeatable team that has swept most events in Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the PPA Tour. Her partnership with Franklin Sports, a leading manufacturer of pickleball paddles and accessories, has further solidified her position as a leading figure in the sport.

As the undisputed number one pickleball player in the world, Anna Leigh’s remarkable talent and dedication have earned her a place in the Franklin Sports family. With Adam Franklin, President of Franklin Sports, expressing his excitement about welcoming her to the team, Anna Leigh is poised to take her game to new heights. Her signature paddle, featuring new iterations of Franklin Sports’ C45° Carbon Fiber Paddle technology, is set to be released soon, and her involvement with the brand extends beyond paddles to a broader range of pickleball products, including pickleball bags and accessories.

With a shared vision for international growth and a commitment to supporting athletes at every level, Anna Leigh and Franklin Sports are set to make a significant impact on the sport globally. As a proud partner of USA Pickleball, Franklin Sports is dedicated to advancing the game through innovative technology and a passion for the sport. Anna Leigh’s immediate connection with the Franklin Sports team and her enthusiasm for their commitment to paddle innovation have made her a natural fit for the brand. As she continues to dominate the professional tour, Anna Leigh remains focused on her goals, enjoying fashion, cooking, and travel in her free time, and inspiring a new generation of pickleball players with her remarkable story.

Early Life and Discovery of Pickleball

Anna Leigh grew up in Delray Beach, Florida, in a family where sports were simply part of daily life. Her mother, Leigh Waters, competed as an NCAA Division I tennis player at the University of South Carolina, bringing serious athletic knowledge into the household. From an early age, Anna Leigh showed natural coordination and competitive spirit on the tennis court, absorbing fundamentals that would later translate perfectly to a different game.

Then Hurricane Irma changed everything.

In September 2017, the family evacuated Florida as the massive storm approached. They headed north to stay with Anna Leigh’s grandparents in Allentown, Pennsylvania, waiting out the chaos. What happened next became the origin story of a champion.

Her grandfather introduced the family to a local community center where people were playing pickleball. Anna Leigh, just 10 years old at the time, picked up a paddle and discovered pickleball for the first time. The family felt an immediate connection to the sport—the quick rallies, the strategic positioning, the accessible-yet-challenging nature of the game.

Within days, casual curiosity turned into obsession. Anna Leigh’s tennis instincts gave her a head start:

• Her groundstrokes translated into powerful drives

• Court positioning felt familiar

• The competitive fire that drove her in tennis burned even brighter here

By the time the family returned to Florida, pickleball had become their shared passion. Anna Leigh progressed from recreational player to regional standout in youth and adult brackets within roughly a year of first touching a paddle. She and her mother began traveling for tournaments, dedicating more time and training to pickleball than they ever had to tennis.

This period also taught the Waters family what serious players truly need from their gear. Managing paddles, shoes, apparel, and accessories across multiple tournament days requires well-organized pickleball bags capable of handling a growing competitive load.

Rise to Professional Stardom

Anna Leigh’s path to professional stardom moved faster than anyone anticipated. By 2019, at just 12 years old, she entered pro divisions and began competing against adult opponents who had years—sometimes decades—more experience.

The results came quickly.

Originally teaming with her mother in women’s doubles, Anna Leigh started reaching podiums and then winning outright. Her 2019 U.S. Open performance stunned the pickleball community when she and Leigh defeated established pros Simone Jardim and Corrine Carr to claim gold. A 12-year-old had beaten the best in the world.

From there, the titles accumulated at an unprecedented rate. Waters has played in more than one hundred tournaments in doubles, mixed doubles, and women's singles, consistently demonstrating her dominance. She has won numerous titles and medals, including:

• 2021 highlights: Singles gold at the Newport Beach Showcase, Orlando Cup, and Texans Open; doubles national championship at the Orlando Cup

• 2022 milestones: First nationally televised match on CBS Sports; multiple PPA Triple Crowns

• 2023 breakthrough: Mixed doubles title at the PPA North Carolina Open, partnering tennis star Jack Sock in his pro debut

• 2025 dominance: Jenius Bank Pickleball World Championships triple crown (singles finals 11-4, 12-10); mixed doubles appearance with Andre Agassi

As of January 2026, Waters has a career win rate of 93.6% in over 872 career matches.

By her mid-teens, Anna Leigh had become the undisputed number one on the PPA Tour and a star in Major League Pickleball, where she was selected as the top draft pick. Her medal count surpassed 180 golds, and she held the record for most women’s titles in PPA history, including her top ranking in women's singles.

She became a true phenom who changed expectations around youth in pickleball. Suddenly, juniors and families saw the sport as a serious professional career path—not just a retirement pastime.

Her commercial impact followed naturally: Waters has secured major endorsement deals with brands such as Franklin Sports, FILA, and Skechers, along with sponsorships with major brands, signature paddle lines, and gear collaborations that reflected the demands of high-volume tournament play and travel. Anna Leigh helped pioneer a new era where young athletes could build legitimate professional careers around pickleball.

Playing Style and Influence on Modern Pickleball

Watch Anna Leigh on court and you’ll see a player showing fierce determination on every point. Waters is known for her aggressive, fast-paced playing style that has redefined the game of pickleball. Her game blends tennis power with pickleball precision, creating an offensive-minded approach that changed how the sport is played at the highest levels.

Key elements of her style include:

• Early ball contact: Taking balls out of the air before opponents can reset

• Heavy topspin: Generating pace while keeping shots in play

• Strong two-handed backhand: Borrowed from her tennis foundation

• Explosive transitions: Shifting from defense to offense in a split second

• Fearless net play: Winning hand battles through reflexes and fierce determination

When Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters first arrived on the professional tour, critics questioned their approach. “Too hard.” “Too fast.” “That’s not real pickleball.” The mother-daughter duo refused to dial back their intensity.

Their unapologetic aggressive approach helped shift the women’s and mixed doubles meta toward speed-ups, hand battles, and athletic attacking play. The traditional dinking-focused style that dominated recreational and senior play gave way to a new paradigm.

Anna Leigh’s presence has pushed other pros to:

Area	Evolution
Fitness	Higher emphasis on strength, agility, reaction speed
Technique	More offensive volleys, fewer passive dinks
Equipment	Paddles and bags built for elite-level durability and performance
Training	Year-round conditioning instead of casual practice

Her influence extends beyond the pro tour. Recreational and competitive club players now emphasize strength training, court movement, and premium equipment rather than casual entry-level setups. Her aggressive, fast-paced game align perfectly with the demands of modern pickleball and the products she endorses, showing a synergy between her style and the high-performance gear she represents.

This shift has driven broader growth: televised events, sold-out venues, and an explosion in demand for high-quality pickleball gear. Brands like FORWRD design bags and accessories specifically for players who take the sport seriously—because athletes like Anna Leigh proved that serious players deserve serious equipment.

Training, Strength, and Recovery

Despite her youth, Anna Leigh trains like a seasoned professional with a year-round approach to performance and recovery. The intensity of her tournament schedule—spanning PPA events, Major League Pickleball team competitions, and international exhibitions—demands systematic preparation.

Her strength and conditioning focus targets the specific demands of aggressive pickleball:

• Lower-body power: Explosive first steps and quick directional changes

• Rotational core work: Generating force on drives and overheads

• Upper-body strength: Winning hand battles at the kitchen line

• Agility drills: Lateral quickness for extended rallies

• Stability training: Staying balanced through multiple shots

Anna Leigh Waters balances competition with mobility work, stretching routines, and physical therapy to prevent overuse injuries. A busy tournament calendar makes smart recovery essential rather than optional.

In public interviews, she’s discussed prioritizing:

• Quality sleep as a non-negotiable foundation

• Consistent hydration throughout training and match days

• Functional nutrition focused on energy and recovery rather than strict dieting

Mental strength plays an equally crucial role. As the sport’s top-ranked player, Anna Leigh faces constant pressure—from opponents trying to dethrone her, media expectations, and her own drive for continued dominance. She sets goals across seasons, stays grounded through family support, and works on the mental game as deliberately as the physical one.

This level of preparation connects to how serious players at all levels think about their game. It’s not just about pickleball paddles—it’s about organized, durable bags that keep recovery tools, hydration, extra shoes, and accessories ready for long tournament days. Brands like FORWRD design for these real on-court needs, understanding that preparation extends beyond the paddle in your hand.

Partnerships, Gear, and Impact on Equipment Trends

Anna Leigh’s evolution from promising junior to global star brought corresponding growth in her sponsorship portfolio. Early partnerships gave way to major multi-year endorsement deals with leading brands in the pickleball industry.

Her gear collaborations have included:

• Paddletek: Long-term paddle partnership

• Fila: Apparel and footwear sponsorship

• Various accessory brands: Bags, grips, and court gear

Anna Leigh Waters has found the right partner in Franklin Sports, with both sharing a vision for product innovation and athlete support. Franklin's commitment to paddle innovation and their dedication to support athletes is evident in their long-term collaborations and integration of athlete feedback. Waters will collaborate with Franklin Sports to co-design a signature line of products, including pickleball paddles, bags, and pickleball accessories. Her signature paddle, featuring new iterations of Franklin Sports' C45° Carbon Fiber Paddle technology, is scheduled to be available for preorder on January 16.

She has partnered with brands to co-design signature paddle lines using advanced materials like carbon fiber faces, engineered for spin, control, and power that match her aggressive style. The signature line approach extends beyond paddles—bags and accessories now reflect how top athletes rely on organized, protective storage.

Consider what a player at Anna Leigh’s level carries to every tournament:

Item Category	Typical Contents
Paddles	Multiple match paddles plus backups
Footwear	Court shoes, training shoes, recovery sandals
Apparel	Match outfits, warm-ups, weather layers
Recovery	Foam rollers, resistance bands, massage tools
Nutrition	Hydration, snacks, supplements
Electronics	Chargers, headphones, video equipment

A player of her visibility shapes what recreational players expect from their own gear. “Pro-level” materials, smart pocket layouts, and long-lasting construction have become baseline requirements when choosing pickleball bags and pickleball backpacks.

At FORWRD, we pay attention to what athletes like Anna Leigh demand from equipment. Our design philosophy emphasizes:

• Premium zippers that won’t fail mid-tournament

• Reinforced paddle compartments for protection

• Ventilated shoe pockets to separate court wear

• Construction that holds up to weekly travel and tournament schedules

While FORWRD is not Anna Leigh’s sponsor, our product philosophy aligns with the standard set by top professionals. Lightweight yet durable materials, functional organization, and confidence backed by a lifetime warranty reflect what serious players need.

Thanks to stars like Anna Leigh, pickleball equipment has rapidly evolved from simple starter gear to specialized high-performance systems. The bag, paddle, and accessories all matter when you’re competing at any level.

Legacy, Inspiration, and the Future of Pickleball

Despite being born in 2007, Anna Leigh has already left a lasting mark on pickleball history. Her remarkable dominance reshaped expectations for what’s possible in this sport—and she’s just getting started.

Her legacy already includes:

• Youngest pro champion in history

• Multi-time world No. 1 across all disciplines

• Catalyst for pickleball’s shift to serious professional sport

• Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition (2022)

• Record holder for gold medals and triple crowns

For junior players—especially young girls—Anna Leigh represents a clear pathway from local courts to national tours and televised events. She proves that age is no barrier when talent, training, and support align.

Her contributions to growing the passionate following around professional pickleball extend beyond competition:

• Active social media presence connecting with fans

• Feature stories and interviews sharing insights on strength and confidence

• Celebrity exhibitions with figures like Michael Phelps, Jamie Foxx, and Scottie Scheffler

• Consistent messaging about refusing to “play small” on or off the court

Looking forward, the next decade could bring:

Potential Milestone	Significance
Continued PPA/MLP dominance	Extending record medal counts
International growth	Expanding tours and global recognition
Olympic inclusion	Pickleball seeking broader international status
Rivalries with emerging talents	Driving competitive drama and fan engagement

Anna Leigh enjoys fashion, maintains her education through homeschooling, and navigates the pressures of fame with remarkable maturity. Her grandfather introduced her to pickleball almost accidentally—now she’s introducing the sport globally to millions of new fans.

As play levels rise across the country, players invest more in lessons, training, and gear. The demand for higher-quality paddles, shoes, and specialized court bags continues growing. This shared vision between athletes and equipment makers drives innovation and accessibility for everyone who picks up a paddle.

Train Like a Champion, Gear Up Like One

Anna Leigh Waters’ journey shows that dedication, family support, and the right preparation can take any player further than they imagined. From discovering pickleball during a hurricane evacuation to becoming the sport’s most dominant athlete, her story proves that passion combined with purpose produces extraordinary results.

Whether you’re training for your first tournament or chasing a podium finish, the choices you make about preparation matter. Smart training, mental toughness, and quality equipment all play roles in how far you go.

At FORWRD, we build premium pickleball bags and accessories for players who take the game seriously—backed by a lifetime warranty and designed for real tournament demands. Subscribe to our free newsletter to stay updated on new products, player insights, and gear tips built for the next generation of dedicated pickleball athletes.

Because if Anna Leigh Waters taught us anything, it’s that when you refuse to play small, the game rises to meet you.