Rising Star of the Court: Anna Leigh Waters

 

A Deep Dive into the World of Professional Pickleball

In this episode of Holding Court, host Kourtney Turner sits down with Anna Leigh Waters, the world's number one female pickleball player. This insightful interview explores how Waters transitioned from youth sports to professional dominance, the unique experience of competing alongside her mother, and her recent milestone as the first athlete signed by Nike for pickleball.

• How did you discover pickleball? (2:00) During a family evacuation due to Hurricane Irma in 2017, Waters and her mother tried the sport at her grandfather's suggestion in Pennsylvania. They were immediately hooked, finding it far from just an "old person's sport."
• When did you realize you had professional potential? (3:40) Success came quickly as she climbed local tournament rankings. A key turning point was realizing she needed glasses, which improved her gameplay significantly. Shortly after, she and her mom began competing as a team, eventually beating the world's number one team when Waters was 12.
• What is it like playing doubles with your mom? (6:35) Waters explains that the partnership strengthened their relationship. They maintained a mutual, professional respect on the court, avoiding the typical "parent-coach" friction, which has allowed their bond to thrive off-court as well.
• Is it harder to reach the top or stay there? (11:15) Staying at the top is more difficult. As the number one player, she faces constant pressure because every opponent is highly motivated to beat her, often playing their best games to challenge her ranking.
• How do you handle the pressure of social media? (18:10) While she initially limited her presence to maintain a normal childhood, she now uses social media to show her off-court personality—like her love for cooking, fashion, and her dog, Archer—while learning to ignore the harsh comments that come with being in the spotlight.
• What was the reaction to the Nike partnership? (23:00) Getting the call from Nike was surreal. Beyond the personal achievement, she notes that Nike entering the sport gives professional pickleball a new level of legitimacy and visibility.
• What are your future goals for the sport? (34:35) Waters aims to be remembered as one of the greatest to play the game while actively working to grow the sport globally, particularly among youth players.