Anna Leigh Waters is not your typical 17-year-old. She is the world’s number one pickleball player, a multi-millionaire, and a celebrity who has played with the likes of Michael Phelps, Jamie Foxx, and Jack Sock. How did she achieve such remarkable success in a sport that most people have never heard of? This is the story of her journey from pickleball prodigy to $1.4 million star.
How Did Anna Leigh Waters Discover Pickleball?
Anna Leigh Waters was born in Delray Beach, Florida, on January 26, 2007. She grew up playing soccer and tennis, following the footsteps of her parents, who were both Division I college athletes. Her mother, Leigh Waters, was a tennis star at the University of South Carolina, and her father, Chad Waters, was a soccer player at the University of Central Florida.
Anna Leigh’s life changed in 2017 when she was 10 years old. During Hurricane Irma, her family had to evacuate their home and stay with her grandparents in Allentown, Pennsylvania. There, she and her mother discovered pickleball at a local community center. They were immediately hooked by the game and started playing every day. Anna Leigh showed a natural talent for the sport and soon began to compete in local tournaments. She quickly rose through the ranks, and by the age of 11, she was playing in national and international events.
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What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a court similar to a tennis court but smaller, with a lower net. The game is played with a plastic ball with holes and a larger paddle than a table tennis paddle but smaller than a tennis racket. The game can be played as singles or doubles, and the rules are simple: the ball must bounce once before being hit and land within the court’s boundaries. The first side to score 11 points and lead by at least two points wins the game.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three American dads who wanted to create a fun game for their kids. The game’s name comes from the family dog of one of the inventors, Pickles, who would chase the ball and run away. The game gained popularity among senior citizens, who enjoyed its low-impact and social nature. However, in recent years, pickleball has also attracted younger players, who appreciate its fast-paced and competitive aspects. Today, pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with over 4 million players in the United States alone and thousands of tournaments held every year.
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How Did Anna Leigh Waters Become a Professional Pickleball Player?
In 2019, at 12, Anna Leigh Waters made history by becoming the youngest professional pickleball player ever. She also became the youngest pickleball champion ever when she won the women’s doubles title at the US Open Pickleball Championships, partnering with her mother. The mother-daughter duo stunned the pickleball world with their aggressive and dynamic style and became the first team to win the US Open without dropping a single game.
Since then, Anna Leigh Waters has dominated pickleball, winning dozens of singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles. She has partnered with some of the best players in the world, such as Ben Johns, the men’s number one player, and Jack Sock, the former tennis star who made his pickleball debut with Anna Leigh in 2023. She has also played exhibition matches with celebrities and athletes from other sports, such as Michael Phelps, Jamie Foxx, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Jordan Spieth. She has appeared on national television, magazines, and podcasts, and has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Anna Leigh Waters has also earned a fortune from her pickleball career. She has signed lucrative sponsorship deals with brands such as Skechers, Hyundai, and Hertz. She has also received prize money from winning tournaments, ranging from a few thousand to a hundred thousand dollars. According to her mother, Anna Leigh Waters has made over $1.4 million from pickleball and is expected to make more.
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What are Anna Leigh Waters’ Future Plans?
Anna Leigh Waters has no plans to slow down her pickleball career. She is determined to keep improving her game and to win more titles and accolades. She is also passionate about growing the sport and inspiring more young people to play pickleball. She has launched her website, offering coaching tips, merchandise, and fan club membership. She also hosts clinics and camps for kids and adults, where she teaches pickleball basics and advanced skills.
Anna Leigh Waters is also balancing her pickleball career with her education. Her grandmother homeschools her, and she plans to graduate in 2025. She has not decided whether to attend college but has received offers from several prestigious universities, such as Stanford, Harvard, and Yale. She has also expressed interest in pursuing other fields, such as music, fashion, and business.
Anna Leigh Waters is a remarkable young woman who has achieved more than most people can imagine. She is a pickleball prodigy, a $1.4 million star, and a role model for millions of fans. She is the face of pickleball and the future of the sport.