The global pickleball spotlight lands on the Philippines as @franklinsports officially launches its highly anticipated Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase in Manila—the first stop of its multi-nation Asian tour.
And the headliner? None other than the G.O.A.T. herself @anna.leigh.waters 👑
The World No. 1 and one of the most dominant athletes in professional pickleball is coming to Manila giving Filipino fans a rare, up-close look at the explosive game and the one player that has taken the world by storm.
The Philippines is no ordinary stop. With a reported 1,213% year-over-year growth, the country is now the fastest-growing pickleball market in the world and a key priority in Franklin Sports’ global expansion.
The Manila showcase will also put Franklin’s latest innovations in the spotlight, including the highly anticipated new paddle teased by ALW in New York, the legendary X-40 ball, and the upcoming X-44, a faster-playing ball endorsed by ALW.
From Manila, the Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase continues to Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
The world’s fastest-growing pickleball market is about to meet its biggest star.
Inside the Fives' Championship Season and the Drive Behind Pickleball’s Dominant Force
In this exclusive Picklepod interview, pickleball sensation Anna Leigh Waters sits down to discuss her recent Major League Pickleball (MLP) championship win with The Fives. Beyond the trophies, the conversation dives deep into the strategic roster shifts, the mental fortitude required to succeed under pressure, and what drives her to remain the most competitive athlete in the sport.
Interview Timeline & Key Takeaways
(0:18) Where does this MLP championship rank among your titles? It is a top-10 highlight; it was a missing piece in her collection and required a true team effort rather than individual dominance.
(1:15) What was the biggest difference for The Fives this year? A mindset shift toward aggression in the DreamBreaker, moving away from playing "timid" or "nervous" to actively taking the win.
(2:46) Did you win this title because of the addition of Federico Staksrud? It was a pivotal change; his energy and world-class singles ability were crucial for winning high-stakes DreamBreakers.
(4:40) How do you lead a team and handle tough roster decisions? The team focused on a unit-first mentality, placing players in their best individual events to maximize the team's overall success despite ego challenges.
(6:16) Does beating the St. Louis Shock feel special? Yes, because they were viewed as the second-best team in the league; it felt like a significant hurdle cleared for the entire organization.
(8:26) Which player do you most enjoy competing against?Ben Johns, as it recalls their early partnership days and provides a high-level challenge not often seen on the PPA tour.
(10:04) Do you pay attention to social media and public criticism? She avoids the "rabbit hole," though she acknowledges reading criticism fuels her competitive desire to prove skeptics wrong.
(11:30) Can someone be the GOAT without an MLP title? She suggests that given the variables and team nature of MLP, it’s difficult to be considered the greatest ever without capturing that specific title.
**(14:52) Do you consider yourself a "psychopath" (a term used by Zane Navratil)? She views her intense competitive drive as a form of obsession, noting it often manifests as a feeling of relief rather than joy once a goal is achieved.
(17:53) What are you working on to improve your game now? Focusing on being more aggressive out of the air (flicks) and improving her movement efficiency on the court.
(19:31) What is your only weakness? She identifies her serve as average, noting she is constantly experimenting with technique to achieve more depth and spin.
(21:28) What is the mystery behind the question-mark Franklin paddle? It is a collaborative project with Franklin currently in development, meant to be an exciting surprise for fans.
Interview Summary
This interview offers a rare glimpse into the psyche of Anna Leigh Waters, professional pickleball's most dominant figure. Waters candidly breaks down the strategic evolution of The Fives, emphasizing that their championship success was born from collective accountability and the strategic integration of Federico Staksrud.
Throughout the discussion, the central theme remains Waters’ relentless competitive drive. She addresses the "psychopath" label with grace, reframing it as a deep-seated obsession with constant improvement—a trait that keeps her focused on the next match even after a major tournament win. She is transparent about the pressures of being the "face of the sport," navigating online noise by using it as a motivational tool while keeping her focus strictly on technical growth, such as mastering aggressive air-shots and refining her serve. The episode concludes on a high note, teasing a future innovation with Franklin, proving that even at the pinnacle of her career, Waters is strictly forward-looking, always preparing for the next victory.
