Former tennis player now among world's best on another court
In a remarkable athletic second act, former University of South Carolina women’s tennis player Leigh (Eichelberger) Waters has reemerged as one of the top professional pickleball players in the world—this time, as part of a mother-daughter duo with her then-13-year-old daughter, Anna Leigh Waters.
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| January 22, 2001 |
Waters describes pickleball as deceptively fast-paced, with dynamic exchanges and a growing emphasis on aggressive play. She and Anna Leigh brought a tennis-style “banger” approach that disrupted the traditional slow, “dinking” style associated with the sport’s older demographic. Their impact helped usher in a younger, faster era of pickleball.
Waters, once ranked 6.4 on the sport’s 6.5-point rating scale, has now embraced a full-time pickleball lifestyle, trading in her legal career to travel the country for competitions, teach the sport, and build brand partnerships. Meanwhile, Anna Leigh balances pickleball with homeschooling, competitive tennis, and high-level soccer.
Reflecting on her roots, Waters fondly recalls her time at South Carolina and the camaraderie of the Gamecock athletic community. Though her days on the tennis court are over, she’s found a new kind of family and fulfillment—on a slightly smaller court, with a paddle in hand and her daughter by her side. (Source: 2020 South Carolina Gamecocks Article)
Mixed Doubles
4:59 Anna Leigh Waters/JW Johnson vs Jorja Johnson/Gabriel Tardio
News
Naples Daily News: World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters dominant at US Open Pickleball Championships with doubles sweep (Photos)
Article Summary: Anna Leigh Waters, 17, showcased her talent as the top female pro pickleball player by clinching victories in mixed doubles with JW Johnson and female doubles with her mother Leigh at the US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, FL.
Anna Leigh Waters 2024 US Open Pickleball Championships Instagram post
Instagram Post Summary: Anna Leigh Waters expressed her overwhelming emotions and gratitude for the special moment at the 2024 US Open Pickleball Championships, where she and her mother, Leigh, clinched victory in the pro women’s doubles event. Despite her mom's 2022 Nationals ACL injury, they worked hard, and Anna Leigh couldn't be prouder of her mom's resilience. Pickleball strengthened their bond as a mother-daughter duo, and Anna admired her mom's pioneering role in evolving the game. She also thanked their friends, family, and Catherine Parenteau for their support.
