Anna Leigh: NBC News Professional Pickleball Phenom Profile
Rise to Stardom:
- Early Beginnings: Waters discovered the sport at age 10 after evacuating to Pennsylvania due to Hurricane Irma (0:37-0:48). She and her mother, Leigh, quickly became hooked, playing multiple times daily.
- Professional Breakthrough: Leigh, a former lawyer, transitioned into professional pickleball. When her mother's doubles partner dropped out of the 2018 Texas Open, the 11 year old Waters stepped in, launching a dominant career that has already seen her win 194 gold medals (0:15, 0:51-1:05).
- Competitive Excellence: Celebrated for her intensity, she has earned praise from tennis legend Andre Agassi, who has even competed alongside her at the 2025 US Open (1:27-1:45).
Impact and Future:
- Economic Growth: Since the sport's professionalization in 2019, Waters' earnings have skyrocketed from $1,000 for a gold medal to an estimated $2.5 million per year (2:10-2:20).
- Cultural Status: While pickleball is not yet an official Olympic sport, it has gained immense popularity among celebrities and is expected to be a fixture in Los Angeles during the 2028 Olympics, with potential for inclusion in future games like Brisbane 2032 (2:45-3:40).
- Longevity: Unlike traditional tennis, pickleball is often cited as being easier on the knees, contributing to the idea that athletes like Waters can sustain long, storied careers in the sport (4:01-4:07).
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