Anna Leigh Waters Interview Highlights
What advice would you give to a 45-year-old who has played pickleball only a few times?
Answer Highlights:
Focus on improving strengths first, such as enhancing your forehand if it’s stronger than your backhand, before addressing weaknesses.
Identify a couple of skills you’re good at and build on them initially.
What was it like playing with Andre Agassi, and how did you find your chemistry?
Answer Highlights:
Enjoyed every moment, with great chemistry both on and off the court.
Agassi’s intensity and humor made the experience fun, and his skill impressed her despite his short time in pickleball.
Why are athletes and celebrities so attracted to pickleball?
Answer Highlights:
Pickleball is easy to learn but hard to master, making it accessible for those with or without athletic backgrounds.
People can play and enjoy it quickly, unlike sports like tennis or basketball, which are tougher initially.
It offers a fun workout without requiring high athleticism, appealing to celebrities.
Who is a non-athlete or non-tennis player you’ve played with who has a surprisingly good pickleball game?
Answer Highlights:
Doug Ellin, a friend and former boss from Entourage, is genuinely skilled at pickleball.
His game is strong enough to back up his claims, despite his initial ping-pong obsession.
What is it like being the top pickleball player at 18, and can you explain your achievements like PPA golds, Triple Crowns, and MLP?
Answer Highlights:
It’s a “crazy ride” growing with the sport from its early days with taped courts to now.
Achievements include 148 PPA gold medals and 33 Triple Crowns (winning women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and women’s singles in one weekend).
MLP’s Premier Division MVP, playing for the New Jersey Fives, with the sport now her passion and job.
How does the competitive nature and storytelling in pickleball, like rivalries and trash-talking, impact its appeal?
Answer Highlights:
Rivalries and trash-talking draw viewers by creating engaging storylines, especially as pickleball is still growing.
While helpful now for exposure, as the sport matures like tennis or golf, such dynamics may become less necessary.
She enjoys the competitive aspect but sometimes dislikes exaggerated social media portrayals.
What’s it like playing with and competing against your mom, and how does your dynamic work in tournaments?
Answer Highlights:
Playing with her mom, a legend in pickleball, is special; they started together when Anna Leigh filled in for a pro tournament.
They’re highly competitive, even against each other in mixed doubles, with her mom once getting upset after losing to her at 12.
In tournaments, they avoid arguing and collaborate well, with roles shifting as Anna Leigh has grown more dominant.
What is a typical week like for you, especially with a tournament approaching, and how do you balance your life?
Answer Highlights:
Graduated high school in May 2024, now focusing full-time on pickleball with 25 events yearly, prioritizing it over college for now.
Post-tournament, takes two days off for social time and recovery, then ramps up training, aiming to finish by 4 PM for personal time.
Maintains a routine to stay grounded amidst frequent travel and varying schedules.
Which pickleball tournaments would you recommend for a new fan to attend, and which do you enjoy most?
Answer Highlights:
Recommends any of the four annual majors for intense matches and top performances.
Loves the Finals in San Clemente for its beautiful venue, despite physical fatigue at season’s end.
Who is your rival in pickleball, and how do you prepare for matches against familiar or new opponents?
Answer Highlights:
Mentioned Hayden as a rival after a recent match, annoyed by overly cocky opponents but no single hated rival.
Scouts new or less familiar players by watching their games, but relies on experience and her mom’s coaching for familiar opponents’ tendencies.
What’s it like playing for the New Jersey Fives with owners like Gary Vaynerchuk and Ryan Harwood?
Answer Highlights:
Ownership fosters strong team chemistry, covering expenses and showing personal investment, like Gary’s motivational messages.
Ryan, as GM, is deeply involved in every point and preparation, creating a tight-knit team culture.
Contrasts with a previous team’s poor ownership, highlighting the Fives’ positive impact.
Where do you hope pickleball will be in five years?
Answer Highlights:
Hopes for global growth, especially in Asia and other regions, with international tournaments starting next year.
Wants younger generations to embrace the sport, already seeing progress with kids’ tournaments.
Aspires for pickleball to become an Olympic sport, a personal goal, though likely beyond five years.
What are your pre-match and post-match rituals, favorite songs, and meals?
Answer Highlights:
Pre-match: Wakes up, eats toast, eggs, and fruit, does 30 minutes of warm-up exercises, and hits for 30 minutes.
Post-match: Eats light during tournaments due to multiple matches, indulges afterward, sometimes with chocolate.
Favorite songs include “Eye of the Tiger” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” the latter tied to a 2019 Nationals win.
Interview Summary
Anna Leigh Waters, an 18-year-old pickleball prodigy and the world’s top player, offers a compelling glimpse into her journey and the sport’s rapid rise. Her advice to beginners, like a 45-year-old novice, emphasizes leveraging strengths, such as improving a strong forehand, before tackling weaknesses. Her experience playing with tennis legend Andre Agassi highlights pickleball’s appeal to elite athletes, with their on-court chemistry fueled by Agassi’s intensity and humor, showcasing the sport’s ability to captivate even newcomers like him. Waters attributes pickleball’s allure to its accessibility—easy to learn yet hard to master—making it a fun, inclusive activity for athletes, celebrities, and casual players alike. She confirms Doug Ellin’s surprising skill, noting his transition from ping-pong to pickleball, underscoring the sport’s draw for non-traditional athletes.
As the face of pickleball, Waters has grown alongside the sport, evolving from playing on taped courts for modest prizes to earning 148 PPA gold medals and 33 Triple Crowns (winning women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and singles in one weekend). Her role with the New Jersey Fives in the MLP, under supportive owners like Gary Vaynerchuk and Ryan Harwood, highlights the importance of team culture, contrasting with her prior experience on a less-invested team. At 18, she balances a demanding schedule of 25 annual tournaments, forgoing college to focus on pickleball, maintaining a routine of training, recovery, and social time to stay grounded.
Waters sees pickleball’s intimacy and rivalries as key to its current growth, drawing viewers through competitive storylines, though she hopes the sport will mature to stand on its own like tennis or golf. Her dynamic with her mother, a pickleball legend and coach, is both collaborative and fiercely competitive, with their tournament synergy contrasting with practice arguments. She recommends new fans attend the four majors or the scenic San Clemente Finals to witness top-tier play. While she doesn’t fixate on one rival, she’s irked by cocky opponents like Hayden, relying on her mom’s coaching and selective scouting for preparation.
Looking ahead, Waters envisions pickleball expanding globally, particularly in Asia, and inspiring younger players, with her Olympic aspirations reflecting her ambition. Her pre-match rituals—consistent meals and warm-ups—and post-match indulgences reveal a disciplined yet relatable athlete. Songs like “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and “Eye of the Tiger” fuel her competitive spirit, tied to memorable victories. Waters’ story is one of talent, tenacity, and a deep love for a sport she’s helping define, making her a captivating ambassador for pickleball’s bright future.
Verse 1 (Jazz)
Anna Leigh, she’s got that swing,
On the court, she does her thing.
With every shot, she hits it clean,
A pickleball queen, if you know what I mean.
She’s gliding smooth, like a jazz refrain,
Serving up aces, bringing the pain.
From the baseline, she’s cool and sly,
A melody of skill, reaching for the sky.
Verse 2 (90's Rap)
Yo, Anna Leigh, she’s the real deal,
Dominating the game with her skill and zeal.
From the kitchen line to the backcourt zone,
She’s always on point, like a queen on her throne.
No paddle too quick, no shot too tough,
She’s out here winning, and that’s enough.
Youngest champ, but she plays so wise,
With every match, you see the fire in her eyes.
Chorus (Jazz)
Pickleball dreams, Anna Leigh’s the star,
Taking the sport to new heights, near and far.
With every match, she raises the bar,
A true champion, that’s who you are.
Verse 3 (Jazz)
She’s got the rhythm, she’s got the grace,
Moving like a song, at her own pace.
Her mom by her side, coaching her through,
A family affair, in everything they do.
From humble courts to the big stage lights,
Anna Leigh’s shining, reaching new heights.
With every tournament, she’s breaking the mold,
A story of passion, a story untold.
Verse 4 (90's Rap)
Listen up, y’all, she’s only eighteen,
But she’s already living the pickleball dream.
Triple crowns, golds, she’s stacking ‘em high,
While the crowd goes wild, and the haters just sigh.
She’s got the Fives, Gary Vee on her side,
With Ryan and the crew, it’s a hell of a ride.
From MLP to PPA, she’s ruling the scene,
Anna Leigh Waters, Pro Pickleball's teen queen.
Chorus (Jazz)
Pickleball dreams, Anna Leigh’s the star,
Taking the sport to new heights, near and far.
With every match, she raises the bar,
A true champion, that’s who you are.
Bridge (Jazz to Rap Transition)
She’s got the jazz in her soul, the rap in her flow,
A mix of the old and the new, watch her go.
From smooth like Ella to fierce like Pac,
Anna Leigh’s game, you can’t stop the clock.
Verse 5 (90's Rap)
She’s got the hunger, she’s got the drive,
Playing for the love, keeping the sport alive.
From San Clemente to courts worldwide,
She’s spreading the game, with nothing to hide.
Olympic dreams, yeah, that’s the goal,
Pickleball’s future, she’s in control.
So raise your paddles, let’s make some noise,
For Anna Leigh Waters, the sport’s new voice.
Chorus (Jazz)
Pickleball dreams, Anna Leigh’s the star,
Taking the sport to new heights, near and far.
With every match, she raises the bar,
A true champion, that’s who you are.
The Creation of "Pickleball Queen: The Anna Leigh Waters Anthem"
Creating "Pickleball Queen: The Anna Leigh Waters Anthem" was an exciting process inspired by Anna Leigh Waters, an 18-year-old pickleball phenom. The song’s upbeat tone and unique blend of jazz and 90’s rap reflect her dynamic personality and the positivity she shared in her interview about her journey, achievements, and vision for pickleball.
Inspiration
The song’s foundation comes from Anna Leigh’s interview, where she likely discussed her rise as a top player, her family’s support (especially her mom as her coach), and her aspirations for the sport’s global growth—perhaps even Olympic recognition. Her infectious enthusiasm and optimistic outlook set the tone: the song had to be lively, positive, and reflective of her dual nature—graceful yet fiercely competitive.
Writing the Lyrics
The lyrics were crafted to highlight key aspects of Anna Leigh’s story. The jazzy verses (1 and 3) emphasize her elegance and family bond, using smooth, melodic lines like “gliding smooth, like a jazz refrain” to mirror her on-court finesse. The 90’s rap verses (2, 4, and 5) showcase her dominance and ambition with punchy, boastful rhymes like “triple crowns, golds, she’s stacking ‘em high,” nodding to her competitive edge. The chorus serves as a unifying, singable hook that celebrates her as a trailblazer. Rhymes were kept tight and upbeat, ensuring a fun, positive vibe throughout.
Musical Choices
The song alternates styles to capture Anna Leigh’s versatility. The jazzy parts imagine live instrumentation—piano, bass, and brass—for a swinging, soulful feel. The rap sections lean into a 90’s boom-bap vibe with sampled beats and sharp delivery, evoking the era’s energy. The bridge smooths the transition with a tempo shift, blending the styles into a cohesive whole. This fusion mirrors pickleball’s growing appeal and Anna Leigh’s role in its evolution.
Reflecting Anna Leigh
The song captures her essence by weaving in her achievements (e.g., “youngest champ”), her support system (e.g., “mom by her side”), and her dreams (e.g., “Olympic dreams”). Its positivity shines through in lines like “taking the sport to new heights,” reflecting her hopeful vision from the interview. At over 300 words, it’s a full tribute to her spirit and the sport she’s elevating.
In conclusion, "Pickleball Queen" blends jazz and rap to honor Anna Leigh Waters’ grace, grit, and optimism, turning her interview into an anthem for pickleball’s bright future.
/ catherineparenteau.pb
-Rachel Rohrabacher – 