The World’s Top Pickleball Player Shares Insights on Match Tactics, Preparation, and Life Off the Court
Following her victory over Judit Castillo in the quarterfinals of the 2024 PPA Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships, Anna Leigh Waters, the number one women’s pickleball player in the world, sat down for an in-depth post-match interview. Analysts Matt Manasse and Kamryn Blackwood explored her strategies, the tactical adjustments she made during the game, and the mental and physical preparation that propelled her to the semifinals. Waters opened up about her approach to adapting on the court, her coaching dynamics with her mother, Leigh Waters, and the lighter side of her life as a professional athlete.
In her conversation with Matt Manasse and Kamryn Blackwood, Anna Leigh Waters detailed her game plan and adjustments that led to her victory over Judit Castillo. Recognizing Castillo’s lateral quickness and powerful spin, Waters shared how she focused on adapting her strategies mid-match. Her initial approach in the first game included staying back, which she revised after calling a crucial timeout at 4-2. By moving forward and hitting stronger approach shots, Waters shifted momentum in her favor for the second game.
Waters credited her mother and coach, Leigh Waters, for being the mastermind behind their match strategies, emphasizing the importance of having multiple plans and being able to adapt quickly. The world champion also reflected on the challenges of playing familiar opponents and admitted she would be watching the upcoming semifinal match for both scouting and entertainment purposes.
Outside the court, Waters discussed her popular food-focused Instagram page, “AL Eats,” where she showcases a mix of healthy meals and indulgent treats. She revealed that she maintains a strict diet during tournaments but enjoys splurging on a well-deserved cheat day after competition.
Finally, Waters spoke about her relationship with her mother, recalling how they managed to separate pickleball from home life despite the challenges of being both family and teammates. With humor, she recounted the competitive spirit between them, including a memorable first victory over her mother that led to a silent dinner.
Anna Leigh Waters continues to blend fierce competition with relatable charm, capturing the admiration of fans and maintaining her dominant presence in the sport.
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Anna Leigh Waters Advances to the Semifinals at the 2024 PPA Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships
The World's Number One Player Shares Insights on Strategy, Game Adaptation, and Balancing Life as a Professional Athlete
Introduction: In an exhilarating showdown at the 2024 PPA Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships, Anna Leigh Waters, the world’s top-ranked women’s pickleball player, secured her place in the semifinals with a hard-fought victory over Judit Castillo. Analysts Matt Manasse and Kamryn Blackwood sat down with Waters after the match to discuss her strategies, the challenges faced during the game, and the dynamics of preparing for upcoming matches. Despite the intensity of competition, Waters's candid reflections revealed both her competitive drive and her lighthearted side.
Interview
1. [23:42] Matt Manasse: "That was a really tough first game you had there against Judit. She’s an incredible mover and very strong. It looked like you were trying to go behind her to counter her quick lateral movements. Was that part of your strategy going into the match?"
Anna Leigh Waters: "Yeah, for sure. I mean, I’ve played her many times, and she gets better every time I play her. We faced off at Nationals last year, so we definitely know each other’s games well. It’s all about adapting during a match—sometimes her forehand might be stronger than her backhand, and figuring that out is super important. But yes, I was definitely trying to go behind her as much as possible."
2. [24:02] Kamryn Blackwood: "I noticed in game one you started staying back more. How confident are you in staying back, and how many game plans do you typically have going into a match?"
Anna Leigh Waters: "My mom, who is also my coach, always has multiple game plans prepared. She’s great at strategizing and ensuring I stick to them. In that first game, I was playing really tight and got frustrated, so I called an early timeout at 4-2. That break helped a lot. Judit plays with a lot of spin, unlike my previous matches in this tournament where my opponents hit flat, hard shots. I had to adjust because I was standing too far back, letting the ball drop lower, and trying to hit up from that position. My approach shots were too soft and were giving her easy opportunities. My mom told me, ‘If you’re going to come in, you need to commit and hit a strong approach shot.’ In the second game, I focused on hitting with more power, and that made a difference."
3. [25:35] Matt Manasse: "You’re up against either Caitlyn Christian or Catherine Pono in the semifinals. Is that a match you’ll watch closely, and what do you look for when scouting familiar opponents?"
Anna Leigh Waters: "Yes, I’ll definitely be watching that match. I like both of those girls a lot. It’s always strange when Catherine is on my side of the draw—it’s only happened a couple of times in my whole career. If I play her tomorrow, it’s going to feel like a championship match. When scouting, it’s not so much about finding out if they’ve learned a new shot since we play each other almost every week. But if I haven’t faced someone in a while, I’ll review their matches more thoroughly. For this one, I’ll be watching more for entertainment, but it’ll be insightful."
4. [26:48] Kamryn Blackwood: "Game one was tough, and you mentioned looking into the crowd made it harder. Did playing on the inside court feel different from the outside?"
Anna Leigh Waters: "Definitely. My shots weren’t hitting as hard on the inside court. You can see that toward the end of game one, I started stepping in more, and that momentum carried into game two. My mom pointed out that my footwork was much better in the second game. She even joked that one day, I’d look back at this match, compare my footwork between the two games, and see how much more I was moving into my shots in the second half."
5. [27:20] Matt Manasse: "I saw on your Instagram page, ‘AL Eats,’ that your food choices range from super healthy to indulgently unhealthy. How do you balance that, and have you found any new favorites in Dallas?"
Anna Leigh Waters: "Yeah, my Instagram is pretty eclectic when it comes to food! I have so many story highlights on ‘AL Eats’ that I had to start ‘AL Eats 2.0,’ and I maxed that out too. I’m pretty disciplined during tournaments, sticking to healthier options and avoiding junk food. But I allow myself one day after a tournament to eat whatever I want—it’s well-deserved. Lately, I’ve cut back even more, avoiding cheese and fried foods on game days."
6. [28:34] Kamryn Blackwood: "Do you and your mom, Coach Leigh Waters, ever bring pickleball discussions home, or do you manage to keep that separate?"
Anna Leigh Waters: "We used to play doubles together, so it was trickier then. If I wasn’t playing well, I’d sometimes joke that it was her fault—not mine! But we’ve always been pretty good at separating it. The hardest part was when we played against each other. I’ll never forget the first time I beat her in mixed doubles—I was around 12 years old. She didn’t talk to me for the rest of the day and made me find my own dinner! But now, she acknowledges my progress, and I think that early rivalry helped push me to be better. These days, it’s easier to keep pickleball at the courts and not bring it home."
7. [29:20] Matt Manasse: "Thanks so much for sharing that, Anna Leigh. Congratulations on the win, and good luck in the semifinals!"
Anna Leigh Waters: "Thank you so much! I appreciate it and can’t wait to see how the rest of the tournament unfolds."
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