Under the Brightest Lights, a Familiar Cheer for Pickleball’s Brightest Star
At the Veolia Lakeland Open, Anna Leigh Waters collected another triple crown — this time with family in the stands, reminding her how far the sport, and her story, have traveled.
Introduction:
Being the world’s top-ranked pickleball player comes with a particular weight: every point scrutinized, every appearance amplified. For Anna Leigh Waters, the 18-year-old phenomenon who has come to define the modern game, that attention is now routine. But at the recent Veolia Lakeland Open, amid the noise and expectation, there was something different in the crowd — the presence of family, and with it, a quieter kind of pressure that only familiarity can bring.
Waters has never lacked an audience. Since her teenage rise to the top of the sport, she has played before packed bleachers and streaming cameras, her aggressive precision and tactical calm turning pickleball into appointment viewing. Lakeland was no exception. As the No. 1 player in the world, every move she made felt observed, evaluated, and, more often than not, admired.
What unfolded on the courts was a familiar outcome delivered with uncommon ease. Waters swept the tournament’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles, completing a triple crown that has become a signature of her dominance. This time, the performance doubled as a personal showcase for two special spectators: her cousins, George and William Waters, who watched from the stands as she carved through the field.
“I love having them here,” Waters said, noting the convenience of Florida tournaments and the comfort of seeing familiar faces.
George and William Waters understand elite athletics in their own right. Soccer players at the University of Tampa, the brothers grew up immersed in sport and now share something rare: the chance to compete together at the collegiate level. Their father once did the same, playing college golf alongside his own twin — a family throughline that ties generations together through shared fields and fairways.
Competition, they say, is the family language. Whether as children roughhousing in the backyard or as adults chasing higher standards, the instinct to measure oneself against the nearest rival never fades.
Watching their cousin dominate a professional sport brings a mix of awe and humor. There is pride in seeing a relative reshape a game, and just enough bravado to imagine, jokingly, a hypothetical challenge. They know better, of course. Waters’ rise has been too swift, her control too complete.
What stands out to them most is not just the winning, but the way she has become a symbol — a young athlete pushing pickleball beyond novelty and into the sporting mainstream.
In Lakeland, Waters was not just collecting medals; she was expanding the sport’s footprint. Her presence turned the tournament into a local event with national resonance, a reminder that pickleball’s growth is being carried forward by players who look comfortable under both scrutiny and celebration.
The Veolia Lakeland Open offered a snapshot of where pickleball stands — and where it is headed. At its center was Anna Leigh Waters, the sport’s most visible figure, reaffirming her supremacy with a triple crown performance that looked almost effortless. Yet the weekend was about more than titles. With her cousins George and William Waters in attendance, the event highlighted the family roots and athletic lineage that underpin her success.
Their shared background — generations of competitive athletes, siblings pushing each other, and pride balanced with playful rivalry — mirrors the qualities that have shaped Waters herself. As her cousins observed from the stands, they saw not only a champion, but a trailblazer helping move pickleball into the cultural mainstream.
In Lakeland, Waters’ dominance was expected. What lingered was the sense that her influence now extends beyond wins and rankings. She is not just the best player in the world; she is a connective figure, linking family, community, and a rapidly growing sport — and doing so with the poise of someone already accustomed to being watched.
In a move that underscores the rapid ascent of pickleball from recreational pastime to professional powerhouse, Anna Leigh Waters, the sport's undisputed top-ranked player, has signed a long-term partnership with Franklin Sports. The announcement, made Thursday from Franklin's headquarters in Stoughton, Mass., pairs the 18-year-old phenom with a brand that has been at the forefront of pickleball's equipment evolution since 2017. As Waters prepares to turn 19 on January 26, this collaboration not only cements her status as a trailblazer but also highlights the growing commercial stakes in a game that has exploded in popularity across the United States and beyond.
Franklin Sports, a venerable name in sporting goods with roots dating back to 1946, revealed the deal in a statement that emphasized mutual ambition. Adam Franklin, the company's president, described Waters as embodying "remarkable talent, competitive spirit, and passion for the game," qualities that align with Franklin's ethos of supporting athletes from backyard enthusiasts to elite pros. The agreement comes at a pivotal moment for pickleball, which has seen participation surge by over 200 percent in recent years, drawing comparisons to the early boom of tennis in the 1970s.
Under the terms of the partnership, Waters will compete using advanced iterations of Franklin's C45° Carbon Fiber Paddle, a thermoformed carbon weave technology that has become a staple on the professional circuit. This shift in equipment is more than cosmetic; it's a strategic endorsement of Franklin's innovation pipeline, which Waters cited as a key factor in her decision. "Performance was a priority," she said in the release, praising the company's commitment to pushing boundaries in paddle design.
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Waters' Historical Pickleball Journey
Anna Leigh Waters' journey to the pinnacle of pickleball reads like a script from a sports underdog story, albeit one accelerated by precocious talent and multi-generational family support. Introduced to the game in September 2017 by her grandfather when she and her mother, Leigh Waters, evacuated Florida during Hurricane Irma. Ten year old Anna Leigh instantly transitioned from novice to prodigy at her first tournament a month later, winning a gold medal at the Delray Beach Gamma Pickleball Classic. Teaming initially with her mother—who now serves as her coach and manager—the duo pioneered an aggressive, high-velocity style winning the Pro Women's Doubles World Championship in 2019.
By age 18, Waters has amassed a staggering 181 gold medals on the Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) tour, including 39 career triple crowns—a feat unmatched in the sport's young history. Since 2022, she has held the No. 1 ranking in women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, a trifecta that places her in rarified air. Her fan base, drawn to her fiery on-court demeanor and off-court accessibility, spans generations, inspiring young players to pick up paddles in parks and community centers worldwide. As pickleball courts proliferate—from urban rooftops to suburban cul-de-sacs—Waters has become the face of its democratization.
Franklin Sports entered the pickleball arena in 2017 with the launch of its X-40 ball, which swiftly earned official status from USA Pickleball, the APP Tour, and the US Open Pickleball Championships. This foothold has expanded into a comprehensive product line, including paddles, bags, nets, and accessories, positioning Franklin as a global leader amid fierce competition from brands like Selkirk and Joola.
The Waters partnership builds on Franklin's roster of sponsored athletes, which includes pros from the PPA, APP, and international tours. Beyond equipment, the deal promises collaborative product development: Waters will co-design a signature line of paddles, bags, and accessories tailored to both competitive and casual players. Additionally, the duo plans to introduce a new pro-level pickleball to complement the X-40, aiming to set new standards in durability and performance.
This alliance also extends to broader initiatives, such as international marketing campaigns and athlete-led clinics, designed to fuel pickleball's global expansion. With the sport eyeing Olympic inclusion—potentially as early as 2032—Franklin's investment in Waters signals a bet on pickleball's enduring appeal.
The partnership's emphasis on "athlete insights, product testing, and innovation" suggests a hands-on role for Waters in shaping Franklin's future offerings. She expressed enthusiasm for the familial vibe of the Franklin team, noting an "immediate connection" that fostered trust. Joint efforts will focus on elevating performance across skill levels, from beginners tweaking their dinks to pros mastering third-shot drops.
On the horizon, expect Waters and Franklin to embark on international visits, promoting the sport in emerging markets like Europe and Asia, where pickleball is gaining traction amid a post-pandemic fitness boom. This global push aligns with Waters' vision of inspiring a new wave of players, much as she was once inspired by her family's impromptu introduction to the game.
Anna Leigh Waters' alignment with Franklin Sports represents more than a sponsorship deal; it's a confluence of youthful dominance and established expertise that could accelerate pickleball's maturation as a mainstream sport. At 18, Waters has already rewritten the record books, her 181 golds and 39 triple crowns underscoring a dominance that rivals early-career legends in tennis or golf. Franklin, with its proven track record—starting with the X-40 ball and expanding to premium gear—gains a charismatic ambassador whose aggressive playstyle and fan engagement amplify its brand.
The collaboration's multifaceted scope, from co-designed signature products to a new pro ball and international outreach, positions both parties to capitalize on pickleball's explosive growth. Participation has ballooned to over 36 million players in the U.S. alone, per recent industry reports, driven by its accessibility, low-impact appeal, and social nature. Yet challenges remain: standardizing equipment regulations, expanding professional infrastructure, and navigating rival leagues like the PPA and Major League Pickleball (MLP), where Waters has excel.
Critics might view such deals as commercialization encroaching on a grassroots game, but proponents argue they inject resources needed for sustainability. For Waters, this partnership marks a "next chapter" prioritizing performance and shared vision. As she approaches her 19th birthday, her trajectory suggests not just sustained success but a lasting legacy—one that could see pickleball courts as ubiquitous as basketball hoops. Franklin's bet on her? A calculated play in a sport where the net is low (34 inches), but the stakes are rising.
2026 PPA Tour Professional Events
| Dates (2026) | Event Name | City, State |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 12–18 | PPA Masters Powered by Invited | Rancho Mirage, CA PPA Tour |
| Jan 19–25 | Indoor National Championships | Lakeville, MN PPA Tour |
| Feb 9–15 | Cape Coral Open | Cape Coral, FL PPA Tour |
| Feb 16–22 | Carvana Mesa Cup | Mesa, AZ PPA Tour |
| Mar 2–8 | Newport Beach Open | Newport Beach, CA PPA Tour |
| Mar 9–15 | Veolia Texas Open | McKinney, TX PPA Tour |
| Mar 23–29 | Greater Zion Cup at Black Desert Resort | Ivins (Greater Zion), UT PPA Tour |
| Apr 13–19 | Sacramento Open | Sacramento, CA PPA Tour |
| Apr 27–May 3 | Atlanta Pickleball Championships | Peachtree Corners (Atlanta area), GA PPA Tour |
| May 4–10 | PPA Finals | San Clemente, CA PPA Tour |
| Stage / Event | Dates | City, State | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season #1 | May 22–25 | Dallas, TX | Pickler Universe Major League Pickleball |
| Regular Season #2 | May 28–31 | Columbus, OH | Pickle & Chill Major League Pickleball |
| Regular Season #3 | June 4–7 | St. Louis, MO | Chaifetz Arena Major League Pickleball |
| Regular Season #4 | June 11–14 | Austin, TX | Austin Pickle Ranch Major League Pickleball |
| Regular Season #5 | June 18–21 | St. Petersburg, FL | St. Pete Athletic Major League Pickleball |
| Regular Season #6 | June 25–28 | New York, NY | Sportime Randall’s Island Major League Pickleball |
| Mid-Season Tournament | July 8–12 | Grand Rapids, MI | Belknap Park Major League Pickleball |
| Regular Season #7 | July 16–19 | Newport Beach, CA | Tennis & Pickleball Club Major League Pickleball |
| Regular Season #8 | July 23–26 | TBA | TBA Major League Pickleball |
| Regular Season #9 | July 30–Aug 2 | Orlando, FL | ESPN Wide World of Sports (Disney) Major League Pickleball |
| Playoffs #1 | Aug 6–9 | Dallas, TX | Pickler Universe Major League Pickleball |
| Playoffs #2 | Aug 13–16 | San Diego, CA | Barnes Tennis Center Major League Pickleball |
| Playoffs #3 – Finals | Aug 28–30 | New York, NY | CityPickle at Wollman Rink Major League Pickleball |
