#RipItPickleball Journal: October 2022

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She plays doubles with her mom, is sponsored by Fila and says college can wait: Pickleball’s Anna Leigh Waters is the face of an exploding sport.

The Washington Post By Rick Maese

Anna Leigh Waters is 15 years old, which is almost a footnote considering all the unexpected turns and opportunities of the past year. Not long ago, she was a promising soccer player with her sights set on college, perhaps even the pros. That feels like a long time ago now.

Now she is one of the biggest stars in professional pickleball, her skyrocketing prospects aligning perfectly with the explosion of the sport.

Nearly every week, she’s posting wins in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, the “triple crown” at Professional Pickleball Association tournaments. She’s locked into major endorsements with bigger deals likely on the horizon and has played with the swimmer Michael Phelps, actor Jamie Foxx, boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard and golfers Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth.

“The timing has been just absolutely perfect,” said her mother and doubles partner, Leigh Waters. “Between her age and the way her game is developing and the way the sport is developing, it’s all like coming together.” (Read More)

AI Assisted Summery Article (November 2024)

Rising Star: Anna Leigh Waters Shines in the Explosive World of Professional Pickleball

How a Teen Phenomenon and Her Mother are Leading Pickleball’s New Era

Introduction:
In just a few short years, 15-year-old Anna Leigh Waters has transformed from a promising soccer player into one of the brightest stars in professional pickleball. Her journey from the soccer field to the pickleball court has been rapid and unexpected, with her skills and charisma propelling her to the forefront of this fast-growing sport. With every tournament, endorsement deal, and partnership, Anna Leigh has positioned herself as both a trailblazer and a role model in a sport that has evolved from a pastime into a booming professional arena. Alongside her mother and doubles partner, Leigh Waters, she is helping to redefine pickleball—and the possibilities for young athletes everywhere.

The Rise of a Young Star

Just a few years ago, Anna Leigh Waters’ primary focus was on soccer, dreaming of a college career and maybe even professional opportunities. All that changed in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in 2017, when Anna Leigh and her mother evacuated from their home in Delray Beach, Florida, to stay with family in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was there that her grandfather, Neil Eichelberger, introduced them to pickleball as a way to pass the time.

At first, Anna Leigh and Leigh were hesitant, dismissing pickleball as less serious than their beloved tennis. But after two weeks of playing on local courts, their curiosity turned to passion. When they returned to Florida, they began playing regularly at their tennis club, growing more committed to the sport with each game.

Breaking into the Professional Circuit

The mother-daughter duo’s pickleball journey took a defining turn at the Dallas Open in July 2018, where they made their first professional appearance as doubles partners. Despite Anna Leigh being only 11 years old, the pair finished as runners-up, making an impressive debut on the pro circuit. This tournament revealed not only Anna Leigh’s potential but also a powerful bond that set them apart from other teams.

Initially, their aggressive playing style—rooted in their tennis backgrounds—drew skepticism from seasoned pickleball players. The sport, historically known for its finesse and dinking (soft shots over the net), was being challenged by the Waters’ approach, which emphasized speed and power. Critics doubted that their style would succeed, but Anna Leigh and Leigh trusted their instincts and stuck with it. In time, other players began adapting similar power-based strategies, underscoring the influence the Waters duo had on the evolution of the game.

A Professional Career Takes Shape

As Anna Leigh’s profile rose in the pickleball world, so did her opportunities. She initially balanced her commitments to both soccer and pickleball, managing training schedules for each. College coaches were already expressing interest in her, and she even had an offer to train in Germany. But the rising demands of her pickleball career—and the unique opportunities it presented—led her to focus solely on pickleball by January 2022.

With her mother taking on the roles of both coach and business manager, Anna Leigh’s future as a pickleball player took center stage. Leigh, a practicing attorney, decided to step back from her legal career to fully support her daughter’s burgeoning career. Together, they are charting a path through a sport that is still in its formative years but expanding rapidly.

Partnerships and High-Profile Endorsements

Anna Leigh’s appeal as an athlete and role model has garnered the attention of major brands. She signed a multiyear endorsement contract with Fila, which exclusively outfits her on the court. She even collaborates with Fila on product design, lending her insight into pickleball-specific apparel and gear. She also has endorsements with a water company, a paddle manufacturer, and a jewelry brand. Her agent, Kelly Wolf, highlights Anna Leigh’s unique position as an ambassador for pickleball, citing her youth, talent, and relatable personality as key to attracting more brands and fans to the sport.

In addition to her business success, Anna Leigh has formed winning partnerships in both mixed and women’s doubles. In mixed doubles, she teams up with Ben Johns, a Maryland native and the PPA’s all-time winningest player at just 23 years old. In women’s doubles, she plays with her mother, Leigh Waters, who at 43 is the tour’s oldest pro, making them the youngest and oldest players in the league. The family dynamic they bring to the court adds a layer of trust and understanding that few other teams can match. Their ability to anticipate each other’s moves has given them an edge in a highly competitive field.

A Balanced Life of Homeschooling and Pickleball

While her life may seem unconventional for a 15-year-old, Anna Leigh maintains a balance between her rigorous athletic schedule and her academic goals. She is homeschooled by her grandmother, Ann Eichelberger, a retired schoolteacher, allowing her the flexibility to travel to tournaments while keeping up with her studies. She’s already a year ahead in her coursework and is on track to graduate next year, a milestone she looks forward to as she considers her future.

For now, college may be on hold as she continues her pickleball journey. “College is always going to be there,” Anna Leigh says, emphasizing her commitment to making the most of her current opportunities in the sport.

Navigating the Pressures of Being a Phenom

Anna Leigh has faced pressure that comes with rapid success, but she works closely with a mental coach who helps her stay grounded and focused. “When I first started playing, I had nothing to lose and was trying to take down the No. 1 players,” she says. “Now, I remind myself that I’m ranked No. 1 for a reason, and I get to show people why I’m here.”

Her self-assuredness is complemented by her mother’s unwavering support and guidance. Leigh’s dual roles as her daughter’s doubles partner and manager provide Anna Leigh with a unique support system, helping her stay adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges.

A Phenomenon in a Booming Sport

Anna Leigh’s meteoric rise mirrors the sport’s explosive growth. With celebrities like Tom Brady, LeBron James, and other prominent investors now backing Major League Pickleball, pickleball is moving beyond retirement communities and local clubs to become a mainstream sensation. Anna Leigh’s success has helped propel the sport forward, showing fans that pickleball is competitive, dynamic, and accessible to athletes of all ages.

As she continues to secure wins and captivate audiences across the country, Anna Leigh Waters is not just the future of pickleball—she is its present. The family remains open to the possibilities, committed to enjoying the journey while navigating the exciting yet uncertain path ahead. For Anna Leigh, the joy of training, playing, and competing is what fuels her. “If I didn’t love it, it might be an issue,” she says. “But right now, it doesn’t feel like work. It just feels like fun.”

FLAMINGO MAGAZINE by ERIC BARTON

South Floridians Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters are changing the face of the game from a retiree favorite to the most competitive sport on the court. Oh, and they can't stop winning.

For Leigh Waters, that moment all parents fear, and also hope will one day come to pass, happened at a restaurant called Chicken N Pickle.
It’s a place in Kansas that, as you might guess, serves fried chicken. It also has courts for pickleball, a sport that’s a mix between tennis and Ping-Pong.
This was in 2019, and Leigh, now 43 years old, had been playing pickleball for two years at that point. She was immediately good at it—so good that she went pro. She even quit her job as an attorney at a big firm to spend more time playing pickleball.
Then, she had that match at Chicken N Pickle. It was mixed doubles—the bronze medal match—and across from her on the court was her daughter, her best friend, her mini-me: Anna Leigh. Her daughter was only 13 at the time, but she was also getting good. Very good.

At the time, this was perhaps the most important tournament in pro pickleball history with the biggest prize money yet. The mixed-doubles champs would split $10,000 at this tournament, the Franklin Pickleball Masters. Leigh Waters was, as she still is today, one of the top-ranked pickleball players in the world. And yet still, Anna Leigh won, which was the first time she’d beaten her mom. (Read More)

#RipItPickleball Journal

Saturday, October 29, 2022

ABC News: Meet the mother-daughter pickleball team dominating America's fastest-growing sport

Thursday, October 27, 2022

The Picklebowl 2022

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

2022 PPA DC Open

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Meet the teen queen of professional pickleball

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A post shared by Leigh Waters (@waters_pb)

She plays doubles with her mom, is sponsored by Fila and says college can wait: Pickleball’s Anna Leigh Waters is the face of an exploding sport.

The Rise of a Young Star

Breaking into the Professional Circuit

A Professional Career Takes Shape

Partnerships and High-Profile Endorsements

A Balanced Life of Homeschooling and Pickleball

Navigating the Pressures of Being a Phenom

A Phenomenon in a Booming Sport

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

This Mother-Daughter Duo is Dominating the Pickleball Scene

Thursday, October 13, 2022

PPA Tour Roundup - Celebrity Pro-Am

Sunday, October 9, 2022

2022 PPA Las Vegas Championships