Professional players and celebrity investors all hoping to cash in on pickleball boom

Palm Springs Desert Sun

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Celebrity influx

Anna Leigh Waters, the 15-year-old superstar who proved again that she is the unquestioned top women's player by winning the triple crown in the desert on Sunday with championships in women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles, said she can't believe what's become of her life in the past year. 

"We're starting to get on national TV networks now and starting to see some really big sponsors get into the sport, it's just really cool to be a part of," Waters said. "It's really been a dream come true, and now to have big celebrities wanting to get involved, it's kind of crazy." 

Waters said it's almost comical to think of the idea of being a pickleball celebrity, but it's real. She said she gets recognized on the street now and celebrities follow her on Instagram. She's had the opportunity to play pickleball with some of her idols like Michael Phelps.

"Mark Cuban followed me on Instagram, and that was pretty amazing because I've been a big fan of them all growing up," she said.  

I responded by asking Waters, "Oh, you're a fan of the Dallas Mavericks?"

And she said "No, Shark Tank." (Read More)