Pickleball Dot Com: Anna Leigh, As I See Her

 

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October 15, 2023 by David Boyle
Beyond the Facade of America’s Pickleball Prodigy

Who is Anna Leigh Waters? At first glance—on and away from the court—one sees an ordinary sixteen-year-old, cheerful, effervescent, quick with a smile, a joke, a funny face. Upon closer examination one would find themself looking at America’s most recognizable pickleball player, a winner of nineteen triple crowns and eighty-something gold medals, and, more, a tireless ambassador for the sport. Other than that she seems… normal.

Often called ALW, Anna Leigh has attitude and drive in equal measure. Sponsorship deals and tournament prizes have likely made her a millionaire. If that’s true—a self-made millionaire! (Read More)

2023 PPA Las Vegas

 

 

Mixed Doubles

1. Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs Dylan Frazier/Lauren Stratman Quarterfinal
2. Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs Vinienne David/Thomas Wilson Semifinal
3. Ben Johns & Anna Leigh Waters - Interview

Doubles

1. Semifinal Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Etta Wright/Allyse Jones
2. QUARTERFINALS Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Jessie Irvine/Yana Newell 
3. Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Lucy Kovalova/Callie Smith (Gold) 
4. Anna Leigh Waters & Catherine Parenteau: Women's Doubles GOLD Interview

Singles 

1. Anna Leigh Waters vs Padegimaite Quarterfinals
2. Anna Leigh Waters vs Dominique Schaefer in the Semifinals
3. Anna Leigh Waters: Women's Singles Post-Match Interview 
4. Anna Leigh Waters vs Catherine Parenteau (Gold) 
5. Anna Leigh Waters: Women's Singles GOLD Interview

Media & Matches

Anna Leigh Waters Is the Top Pickleball Player in the World — and She's Only 16

 

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By Anna Leigh Waters 

As part of POPSUGAR's series highlighting young athletes making their mark, Waters reflected on discovering pickleball at 11, what it's like to balance being a pro athlete and high school, and more. Read it all, in her own words

3 Tips For A Better Mental Game (YouTube Short)

2023 MLP Atlanta

 

• D.C. Pickleball Team VS. Utah Black Diamonds I Premier
• Chicago Slice VS. Utah Black Diamonds I Premier (DB)
• Utah Black Diamonds VS. Dallas Pickleball Club

Utah Black Diamonds

• Anna Leigh Waters
• Irina Tereschenko
• Thomas Wilson
• AJ Koller

Chicago Slice

• Ben Johns
• Jessie Irvine
• Lacy Schneemann
• Erik Lange

D.C. Pickleball Team

• Riley Newman
• Jackie Kawamoto
• Jade Kawamoto
• Christian Alshon

Dallas Pickleball Club

• James Ignatowich
• Callie Smith
• Allyce Jones
• Jay Devilliers

2023 Cincinnati Open

  

Doubles

4:58 Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Jade Kawamoto/Jackie Kawamoto (Gold)

4:50:39 Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Tyra Black/Lauren Stratman 9:33:05 Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau vs Andrea Koop/Jessie Irvine

Anna Leigh and Catherine Parenteau Gold Medal Interview

Mixed Doubles 3:27:48 Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs. Vivienne David/ Thomas Wilson (Gold)

4:34:36 Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs Dylan Frazier/Callie Smith

5:28:15 Anna Bright/James Ignatowich vs Lea Jansen/Frederico Staksrud 7:51:43 Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns vs Anna Bright/James Ignatowich

Ann Leigh and Ben Johns Finalist Interview

Singles 4:53:55 Anna Leigh Waters vs Catherine Parenteau (Gold) 4:01:03 Anna Leigh Waters vs Lina Padegimaite 6:43:46 Anna Leigh Waters vs Ava Ignatowich

Anna Leigh's Finalist Interview

Anna Leigh's Gold Medal Interview

Media

Forbes: Johns Earns His 100th Career Win

2023 Cincinnati Open Anna Leigh Waters - Gold Medalist Interview

 

 

0:01 Your mom said this was the best singles she's ever seen you play - Why does she think that was? I feel like I gradually got there. In the beginning of the first game I came out a little slow and my serve was weird. I was trying to figure out what serve and where to stand, which you don't want to do during a match. But I got more comfortable as the match went on. Towards the end I was playing some of my best singles because I was hitting big serves, taking the ball early, coming in and hitting the shots I wanted, not forcing too much. I felt super comfortable and confident in that second game. 0:34 Why were you trying to change up your serve? The first two serves I hit were really bad - one was far from the kitchen and the other was just bad. So we were trying to figure out how to get it deeper. It's something I'm going to work on after this tournament because it needs to get better. It makes a big difference in singles and mine isn't great. 0:55 In your post-match interview, you thanked the crowd for pulling you out of a hole a few times - Can you talk about how important the crowd is in moments like that? It really does make a difference. I like it when they're cheering for me. It helps when they're cheering for you - I feel like this weekend there were a lot of people being very loud when I was down, trying to pump me up and remind me who I am. I'm very thankful for that. There were many times this weekend when I think Ben and I were coming down from deficits, so not our best weekend until the finals. 1:33 You just saw Ben hit his 100th title - How does that make you feel looking at what you are trending to do in the future?` It's incredible. I know he said there aren't records in this sport but I think that one probably won't be broken. He's going to get many more golds - he says he wants to get to 200 which is kind of crazy. He'll be playing this sport for a long time and so will I. We're going to keep trying to set records that won't be broken. 2:00 You thank the refs every single time without a doubt - Why do you think that's important to do? I feel like the refs get a lot of hate for everything. They travel with us, work just as hard as we do, stand out in the sun, and are going to make mistakes. I think a lot of players from all levels can get frustrated with refs but you forget they're human too. I just like to thank them after every match because I really appreciate what they're doing - traveling with us and grinding through the heat. Without the refs we wouldn't be able to have a pro tour. 2:39 What is a goal outside of pickleball that you are working on? I want to be on the Jimmy Fallon Show and I've been trying for a while. Maybe soon, maybe never, but I really want it. That's the one thing I really want to do. 2:57 If you get on the Jimmy Fallon Show, what will you wear? Oh, my God! It's like if you saw Oprah, you'd have to decide like a week before, like I don't know. My trainer always brings it up - he's like if you were going to see Oprah what would you wear, how long would you need to get ready? I think it's the same level for the Jimmy Fallon Show. I need to know in advance so that I could plan the outfit, plan what I was gonna wear, plan a couple lines just in case I get nervous. I just feel like there would be a lot of things I would have to do before going on the show.