WORLD · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
World No. 1 Pickleball Star Anna Leigh Waters Balances Record‑Breaking Career with Family Support
WHY IT MATTERS
Waters’ blend of record‑breaking success and grounded family support illustrates how elite athletes can thrive while maintaining personal well‑being, inspiring both aspiring professionals and recreational players worldwide.
What happened
Anna Leigh Waters, 19, remains the world’s top pickleball player across singles, doubles and mixed, a status she has maintained since turning pro at 12. She recently captured her 200th Professional Pickleball Association title in mixed doubles with Ben Johns at the 2026 Veolia Chicago Cup.
A former soccer and tennis standout, Waters chose homeschooling from third grade and graduated high school in June 2024, opting to focus on her sport over college recruitment. Her mother, former collegiate tennis player Leigh, now serves as her full‑time coach and manager, helping Waters keep a life outside the court.
Waters will tour the Philippines, Malaysia and Hong Kong, returning to Manila for the IAM Worldwide Pickleball Showdown on December 9.
PRIMARY SOURCES
How world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters balances life and pickleball
Rappler · Drew Lo · Discovery only; publisher copyright terms apply
CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
- Revision 1 · Initial ingestion · Oct 18, 2026, 2:45 AM
- Revision 2 · Source update detected · Oct 18, 2026, 2:45 AM