Anna Leigh Waters

Anna Leigh Waters is an American professional pickleball player. Achieving the distinction as the youngest professional pickleball player in history at age 12, she has been a dominant force in the sport. As of October 2022, Waters is ranked No. 1 in the world for doubles, No. 1 for mixed doubles, and No. 1 for singles by the Professional Pickleball Association. Waters' prowess in pickleball extends to a unique partnership on the court. Teaming up with her mother, Leigh Waters, they make up the only mother-daughter team in professional pickleball. Together, they have managed to win tournaments in doubles, mixed doubles, and singles. In 2021, Waters clinched the doubles national championship at the Orlando Cup and took home gold in singles at the Newport Beach Showcase, Orlando Cup, and Texas Open.

Her successful career has also led to encounters with notable figures in sports and entertainment. Waters has played pickleball games with swimmer Michael Phelps, actor Jamie Foxx, boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, and golfers Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth. In 2022, Waters and her mother were featured in the first nationally televised pickleball match in history on CBS Sports, where they defeated Lucy Kovalova and Callie Smith. In 2025, she partnered with Andre Agassi for his pickleball debut in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championship.

In May 2023, Waters added to her list of accolades by winning the PPA North Carolina Open mixed doubles title. This achievement was even more notable as she partnered with former world No. 8 tennis player Jack Sock in his professional pickleball debut. This success, along with her world rankings, have led to sponsorships with sportswear manufacturer Fila and paddle manufacturer Paddletek.