Thursday, February 16, 2023

Pickleball World #1 Anna Leigh Waters Re-Signs with Paddletek

 

World Number One professional pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters has extended her partnership with U.S. paddle manufacturer, Paddletek, and will continue to compete in professional pickleball events with her signature Paddletek paddle.

Niles, MI, February 16, 2023 --(PR.com)-- World Number One professional pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters has extended her partnership with U.S. paddle manufacturer, Paddletek, and will continue to compete in professional pickleball events with her signature Paddletek paddle.

“We are honored to continue our relationship with Anna Leigh and her family,” said Curtis Smith, CEO, Paddletek, LLC. “Our entire team is very proud to have witnessed Anna Leigh’s progression to the highest level of professionalism, as well as her #1 ranking.”

Anna Leigh was first introduced to Paddletek in 2018 when she was 11 years old and already a budding talent. Since that time, she and Paddletek have collaborated on paddle design and technology to deliver a high-level performance product to the pickleball marketplace. That collaboration will continue with a signature line of pickleball paddles that can help players of any age or skill level improve their game.

“I’m so excited to continue my relationship on and off the court with Paddletek,” said Anna Leigh Waters. “They have become like family to me and I cannot wait to debut my signature paddle line with Paddletek.”

About Paddletek
Paddletek began as a small family business inspired by a love of the sport and a vision for improving paddle technology. Paddletek has been changing the game since 2010, when they first introduced their advanced honeycomb core. While the brand has grown into one of the leading names in pickleball, the company’s mission remains the same: helping players reach the next level of play.

About Anna Leigh Waters
At just 16 years old, Anna Leigh Waters is a pickleball phenom. Waters began playing pickleball in 2017 when her grandfather taught her and her mother, Leigh, the game while they were in Pennsylvania waiting out Hurricane Irma. Anna Leigh and Leigh partnered to become a dominant force in women’s doubles capturing the Number One Ranking in 2022.

2023 PPA Arizona Grand Slam

 


Singles

5:46:00 Women’s Singles: #1 Anna Leigh Waters vs. #3 Lea Jansen (Interview) (Pro Stats)

5:52:15 Anna Leigh Waters vs Salome Devidze

Mixed Doubles

1:58:49 Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs James Ignatowich/Jackie Kawamoto
2:19:57 Match Highlight

3:20:40 Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs JW Johnson/Jorja Johnson (pklmart Stats) (Henry Stats) (12:05 Briones Pickleball Podcast)


Doubles

2:16:14 Women’s Doubles: #1 Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright vs. #6 Jessie Irvine/Jackie Kawamoto (Interview) (pkl Stats) (Pro Stats)

7:13:53 Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright vs Lea Jansen/Allyce Jones Highlight (Rally Length Reel)

3:43:16 Anna Leigh Waters/Anna Bright vs Yana Grechkina/Cierra Gaytan-Leach

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Monday, February 6, 2023

2023 PPA Desert Ridge Open

 


Singles

4:01:07 Gold Medal: #1 Anna Leigh Waters vs. #2 Catherine Parenteau (Highlight)

6:50:16 Anna Leigh Waters vs Lea Jansen


Doubles

1:24:31 Gold Medal: #2 Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs. #4 Lea Jansen/Allyce Jones
1:39:41 Highlight: Allyce Jones, dives after a net dribbler, head first into the Kitchen (Point Of The Tournament)

5:03:39 Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Irina Tereschenko/Meghan Dizon
8:20:47Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Anna Bright/Vivienne David (1st, 7-3-2)


Mixed Doubles

7:21 Gold Medal: #1 Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters vs. #2 Matt Wright/Lucy Kovalova

0:28 - #1 Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters vs. #32 Erik Forsythe/Kelsey Grambeau 1:03:37 - #1 Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters vs. #8 JW Johnson/Jorga Johnson 3:37:14 - #1 Ben Johns/Anna Leigh Waters vs. #4 AJ Koller/Jessie Irvine


Sunday, February 5, 2023

New York Times: Will Pickleball Be as Fun to Watch as It Is to Play?

 

Now investors and executives within the sport must figure out how to convince recreational pickleball enthusiasts that professional pickleball is worth watching on television and paying to see in person. As this year’s professional tournaments get underway, those in the pro ranks must persuade those who don’t already follow professional pickleball that the sport’s most popular players — such as Anna Leigh Waters, Ben Johns and Lee Whitwell — are just as fun to watch as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka. 

“How many sports are there where grandparents can play with their grandkids?” Chuck Menke, chief marketing officer of USA Pickleball, said.
The sport is already showcasing examples that make success look attainable: Anna Leigh Waters, 16, considered to be one of the best players in the sport, plays women’s doubles with her mother, Leigh Waters, 43. (Read More)

Practice The Cross Court Dink