FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Anna Leigh Waters, 15, and Ben Johns, 22 Pro Pickleball Mixed Doubles Champions In Mesa, AZ
Pro Pickleball Phenom Teen Anna Leigh Waters and #1 Ranked Pro Men’s Player Ben Johns Seek Third Mixed Doubles Gold Medal In Lakeville, MN
LAKEVILLE, MN (February 23, 2022 ) -- Last month, professional pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters (AL) celebrated her 15th birthday by winning a Gold medal with Ben Johns, the highest ranked men’s pickleball player in the world in all three divisions (singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles), a Gold medal in pro Women’s Singles and a Bronze medal with her mother, Leigh Waters, in pro Women’s Doubles at the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Carvana Desert Ridge Open in Phoenix, AZ.
Last week at the PPA Foot Solutions Arizona Grand Slam in Mesa, AZ, AL won Gold medals in singles and mixed doubles with Ben as well as a Bronze medal with her mom. The 22 year old from Laytonsville, Maryland also won Gold medals in men’s singles and men’s doubles completing a Triple Crown. “Triple Crown” refers to winning Gold medals in all three brackets.
Currently a student at the University of Maryland majoring in Materials Engineering, Johns grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland playing tennis and table tennis. In March of 2016, he first picked up a pickleball paddle and instantly fell in love with the game.
This week the young pro pickleball superstars seek their 3rd consecutive title at the Ororo PPA Indoor National Championships that begins Thursday February 24 at Life Time Lakeville.
Out of the 18 stops on the PPA Tour this year, Anna Leigh is most looking forward to the Lakeville,MN tournament because the Delray Beach, Florida based teen wants “to see snow”.
Anna Leigh is pursuing her 9th pro singles title in Lakeville,MN.
February 2022: PPA Foot Solutions Arizona Grand Slam Mesa, AZ
January 2022: PPA Carvana Desert Ridge Open Phoenix, AZ
December 2021: Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships, Indian Well, CA
November 2021: PPA Masters, La Quinta, CA
October 2021: PPA Texas Open Shootout, Rockwell, TX
September 2021: PPA Orlando Cup, Orlando, FL
August 2021: Tournaments Of Champions, Brigham City, UT
August 2021: PPA The Takeya Showcase, Newport Beach, CA
At the 2021 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships, Anna Leigh finished the year as the #1 pro singles player in the World Pickleball Rankings.
Anna Leigh was a guest commentator on several matches at the 2021 National Championships.
Anna Leigh and Leigh (TeamWaters) won the 2019/2021 Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships Pro Women’s Doubles title.
The TeamWaters Pickleball Story Began in 2017
“The mother/daughter duo picked up the sport back in 2017 when they evacuated their home in Florida due to Hurricane Irma and stayed with Leigh’s parents for a couple of weeks. Leigh’s dad introduced them to the sport and from there they were hooked. “I think we played like morning, noon and night for two weeks straight while we were up there and the rest is history,” said Leigh.”
The inspiring mother/daughter journey can be followed on Facebook and Instagram.
TeamWaters Digital Press Kit (Interviews, Tournament Videos, Highlights, Photos, Schedules)
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