World Pickleball Championship

Team Waters won a Silver Medal in the Pro Women's Doubles Bracket at the 2019 World Pickleball Championship in Punta Gorda, FL.


Match Highlight Reel: Anna Leigh Waters, 12/Leigh Waters vs Lindsey Newman/Catherine Parenteau

Match Highlight Reel: Irina Tereschenko/Denise Dy vs Anna Leigh Waters, 12/Leigh Waters

Mother-Daughter Duo Honored For 2019 Professional Pickleball Achivements

Press Release:

Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters are on the 

January 2020 Pickleball Magazine cover 

Mother-Daughter Duo Honored For
2019 Professional Pickleball Achievements 

(DELRAY BEACH, FL - JANUARY 5, 2020) ---  Anna Leigh Waters,12, and her mother Leigh Waters,40, were selected as Pickleball Rocks 2019 Players Of The Year. 

The dynamic duo are also on the Pickleball Magazine January 2020 cover.

Pickleball Rocks: "People loved watching the obvious positive connection and the way they worked perfectly together to win tournament after tournament, including the world’s biggest pickleball stage, the USA Nationals at Indian Wells, CA. Besides all the people who cast their votes for Team Waters, what caught our attention, was the wonderful mother/daughter and family connection that was present every time we personally saw them on the tournament trail.  The perfect example for future family pickleball teams.

This pair entered 9 Open Women Doubles events, playing against the strongest women’s teams in the world and came home with 9 medals:  4 Golds, 4 Silvers and 1 Bronze."

"Wow!!! What an honor!! Simply amazing!! Thanks so much to Pickleball Rocks," states Leigh Waters. "Your kind words in your article warmed our hearts!!!"

In the summer of 2017, Anna Leigh and Leigh evacuated to Leigh’s father's home in Pennsylvania due to Hurricane Irma. While there, he introduced them to pickleball.

“Anna Leigh started playing pickleball the same day I did in Pennsylvania,” Leigh explains. “I can’t tell you what an absolute privilege it is to get to play with her. She amazes me every time I step on the court with her. She is smart, encouraging, and her skills just keep getting better. Having her by my side on the court is so comforting and I have total confidence in her. We have that mother/daughter intuition that helps us play as a true team on the court. Winning a Major title together is something that we set out to do.”

In the November/December Pickleball Magazine article, Raising Waters, Leigh stated: "Every day feels like a gift for us. We are so grateful to our family, friends, and supporters for making this possible." 

Team Waters 2019 Interview Highlight Reel 

Digital Press Kit (Interviews, Tournament Videos, Photos, Schedule) 

Mother, daughter win natonal pickleball title

Sun Sentinel, Delray Beach, FL

“This was the first year I even started playing with my mom and this is the first year I turned pro,” Anna Leigh said. “She had been playing the year before that. We played a tournament and got silver together and we said we are just going to keep playing together. It’s easy and we can travel together.”

"You do it with your mom and you win a pro medal,” she continued, “even if it is not a national tournament and you win a pro medal in anything, it’s great, but because it was nationals, it was even better.” (Read More)

AI Assisted Summary Article (November 2024)
From Hurricane Escape to Championship Glory: The Inspiring Rise of a Mother-Daughter Pickleball Duo

Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters' Journey from a Chance Discovery to National Titleholders in Professional Pickleball

Introduction:
What began as a spontaneous introduction to pickleball while escaping Hurricane Irma has transformed into a national success story for 40-year-old Leigh Waters and her daughter, Anna Leigh Waters. Just five years after they first picked up a paddle, this mother-daughter duo claimed the Women’s Pro Division title at the prestigious Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships in California. Their story isn’t only about winning but about family, passion, and their role in shaping the future of pickleball—a sport once limited to older players but now attracting a younger, more competitive crowd.

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A Sport Discovered by Chance

In 2017, Hurricane Irma’s approach disrupted life for millions, including the Waters family in Delray Beach, Florida. With the storm nearing and power outages imminent, Leigh Waters, her 10 year old daughter Anna Leigh, evacuated to her father’s home in Pennsylvania. Leigh’s husband, Stephen, stayed behind to manage their business and look after their dog, Maggie. It was during this unexpected road trip that Leigh’s father, Neil Eichelberger, introduced them to pickleball, a sport neither of them had previously considered.

“We played for like two weeks straight and we were hooked from then,” Anna Leigh recalled. What began as a way to pass the time quickly became a shared passion. Both mother and daughter were natural athletes, but they soon discovered that pickleball provided something unique—a blend of skill, strategy, and fun that sparked a deeper commitment.

Winning at the Professional Level

Fast-forward to November at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, where Leigh and Anna Leigh claimed the national title in the Women’s Pro Division. Facing seasoned players Jessie Irvine and Catherine Parenteau, they emerged victorious, sealing a 6-11, 11-8, 11-8 win to take home the championship trophy. For Anna Leigh, the victory was particularly meaningful.

“I won with my mom, and that was a pretty amazing experience,” she said, noting the joy of celebrating their win together as fans cheered them on. Winning a pro medal would have been incredible on its own, but to do it at the national level was beyond their expectations. “To be able to play a sport with your kid is amazing,” Leigh added. “To do it at a professional level… we are making memories every day that are irreplaceable.”

Anna Leigh’s Unusual Path to Professional Status

At just 12 years old, Anna Leigh found herself at the top of a sport primarily known for attracting older players. She is a dedicated eighth-grader and also plays soccer and tennis, yet pickleball has captured her heart. Unlike most of her peers, Anna Leigh is homeschooled by her grandmother, Ann Eichelberger, a retired schoolteacher. This arrangement allows her to focus on her athletic career, and she’s already a year ahead, set to graduate next year.

Anna Leigh has relished the chance to play alongside—and against—older, more experienced opponents. Her rapid rise in pickleball, a sport traditionally reserved for older athletes, is emblematic of the new energy young players bring to the game. “Once you get on the court, you will just love it,” she explained, hoping her journey inspires other young players. For her, the sport’s appeal lies in its accessibility and versatility. “I think any age can play it, and there are many levels,” she added.

The Power of Family Dynamics

The Waters family’s athletic roots run deep. Leigh played Division 1 tennis at South Carolina, while her husband competed in Division 1 golf. Though she hadn’t expected Anna Leigh to reach pro status so quickly, Leigh is proud of her daughter’s achievements and resilience. “She’s so poised on the court and can handle playing adults, many of whom were professional tennis players,” Leigh said. “I am very proud of her.”

This shared journey has strengthened their bond both on and off the court. The duo’s complementary styles—Leigh’s experience and Anna Leigh’s youthful agility—create a unique synergy. Their strong familial connection enables them to anticipate each other’s moves, a key element to their success.

Growing Pickleball’s Youth Presence

The Waters family’s achievements have contributed to a growing youth presence in pickleball, spurred by the increasing popularity of junior tournaments and efforts to attract young players. Glenn Kessler, president of the Delray Beach Pickleball Club, has witnessed this evolution firsthand. “We are very happy seeing the younger people get involved,” Kessler noted, pointing out the record-breaking 507 participants at the recent Delray Beach tournament. To foster this growth, Kessler and the Delray Beach Pickleball Club are actively working on plans to expand facilities, including additional courts that would support after-school programs for young players.

Kessler believes that with expanded facilities, tournaments could become even more inclusive, welcoming over 550 participants. As pickleball’s profile rises nationwide, the Waters family’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the sport’s broad appeal, its growing competitive landscape, and its unique ability to bridge generations.

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The Waters’ journey underscores the transformative power of pickleball, a sport they discovered by accident yet fully embraced. For Anna Leigh, playing professionally alongside her mother is more than a dream come true; it’s the realization of a shared passion, built on trust, love, and the thrill of competition. Their success story shows that pickleball is more than just a game—it’s an opportunity to build memories, foster youth engagement, and bridge generations in a sport that’s just getting started.

Pickleball Magazine January 2020

Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters, Pickleball Pros

Dynamic Duos!

Nationals was double the fun with some fierce pairs, including Ben Johns, who won Men's Pro Singles and Doubles (with Kyle Yates), Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters, who took gold in Women's Pro Doubles (Read Article)

The Pickler I Met: Anna Leigh Waters - The Future of Pickleball

November 2017 The Pickler I Met: Anna Leigh Waters - The Future of Pickleball

By Stacie Townsend

Anna Leigh was my first tournament Pickler. By this I mean, she was my partner for my first official pickleball tournament. Until I met Anna Leigh, I (at the age of 29) had yet to feel old on the pickleball court. However, Anna Leigh, who is 10 years old, races around the pickleball court with more exuberance and more grace than me (whether now or ever). With help from her tennis background, Anna Leigh has a knack for ripping forehands and backhands right at her unexpecting opponents, while constantly carrying a smile and keeping her blonde braid intact under her Pickler visor. (Read More) Delray Beach Gamma Pickleball Classic Thu 11/16/17 thru Sun 11/19/17 Womens Doubles Skill/Age Groups 3.0:8-49,50-99 Gold: Stacie Townsend/Anna Leigh Waters Mixed Doubles Skill/Age Groups 4.0:8-49 Gold: Leigh Waters/Neil Eichelberger (Leigh's Father) Women's Open $$$ Gold: Catherine Parenteau /Abbie David Silver: Andrea Koop/Sara Remynse

2019 Delray Beach Gunther Pickleball Classic

Hundreds are set to play in Delray Beach Gunther Pickleball Classic tournament this weekend December 5-8

Professional pickleball players will be playing in this week’s event. Local mother-daughter team Leigh and 12-year-old Anna Leigh Waters said they are excited to play at home again.

“We just won Nationals at the pro level as a mother-daughter team,” said Waters.


Women's Doubles Pro
Leigh Waters/Anna Leigh Waters,12 vs Martina Kochli/Michelle Esquivel


WPTV: Mother-daughter team Leigh and 12-year old Anne Leigh Waters, said they were excited to play at home again:

It's just been unbelievable and the fact that Anna Leighis 12 years old and I'm 40 years old.

She's the youngest professional player and the two of us actually won nationals a few weeks ago at the pro level in Indian Wells California.

So, we're really kind of making waves and showing that anybody of any age can play this sport. (Leigh Waters)

The Delray pickleball Club hosted the event. Over 500 players participated.

Team Waters 2019 Interviews Highlight Reel

• WPTV News | West Palm Beach Florida - The Delray Beach Gunther Pickleball Classic (December 2019)
• Eddie and Webby Interview Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters (August 2019) 

• Texas Open WOMENS DBLS OPEN GOLD Simone Jardim/Lucy Kovalova vs Anna Leigh Waters/Leigh Waters (September 2019)  
• Simone Jardim Interviews Leigh Waters (September 2019) 
• Tournament of Champions Women's Doubles Pro Gold Medal Match Anna Leigh Waters/Leigh Waters vs. Jessie Irvine/Lindsey Newman (August 2019)
• Tournament of Champions Interview (August 2019)
• Simone Jardim Interviews Anna Leigh Waters (September 2019) 
• Franklin Masters MIXED DOUBLES - BRONZE Anna Leigh Waters/KyleYates vs Leigh Waters/Dave Weinbach (September 2019) 
• Simone Jardim Interviews Leigh Waters (September 2019)
• Eddie and Webby Interview Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters (August 2019) 
• Tournament of Champions Women's Doubles Pro Gold Medal Match Anna Leigh Waters/Leigh Waters vs. Jessie Irvine/Lindsey Newman (August 2019)
• Eddie and Webby Podcast 57 - Top Ten Moments of 2019
• World Pickleball Championship Women's Doubles Pro Silver Medal Interview (December 2019)

All Team Waters' Interviews