World’s Number 1 Pickleball Star Anna Leigh Waters’ Parents Shaped Her Path to Pickleball Stardom

Prodigy from the day 1

November 27, 2026

This article was last updated by Pranaya Poudel on November 27, 2026

Anna Leigh Waters has taken the world of pickleball by storm, emerging as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

At just 17 years old, she has already achieved unprecedented success, becoming the in doubles, mixed doubles, and singles, according to the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA).

Her career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by numerous victories, record-breaking achievements, and a growing fanbase.

Waters’ introduction to pickleball came at the age of 10 when she began playing with her mother during a visit to her grandparents.

By the age of 12, she became the youngest professional pickleball player in history, a distinction that set the stage for her meteoric rise in the sport.

Since then, she has won multiple national titles, including gold medals at prestigious events like the U.S. Open and the Margaritaville USA Pickleball Nationals Championship.

In early 2026, she earned her , solidifying her place as one of the most dominant players in the history of the sport.

According to her agent, Kelly Wolf, Anna is set to become the highest-paid pickleball player in 2026.

“She will earn more than $3 million this year”

Via

While Anna Leigh Waters’ rise to prominence in pickleball is impressive, much of her success can be attributed to the unwavering support and guidance she has received from her parents.

Anna Leigh Waters’ Parents Are Her Ultimate Support System

Behind every great athlete is a strong support system, and for Anna Leigh Waters, that system is her family.

She was born to Leigh Waters and Stephen Waters in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

While both parents have played integral roles in shaping her athletic career, it is her mother, who has been most directly involved in her rise to fame in pickleball.

Leigh Waters, a former NCAA Division I tennis player, not only as Anna’s coach but also as her manager.

While Leigh Waters went pro in pickleball in 2018, it wasn’t until 2019 that Anna Leigh followed suit, quickly making a name for herself as one of the youngest professional players in the sport’s history.

Their relationship as teammates has been crucial to their shared success, especially in doubles, where they have become a formidable duo.

However, there was a pivotal moment when Anna Leigh was put against her mother in a mixed doubles match at Chicken N Pickle, where Anna won against her mother.

Initially, Leigh was the stronger player, but after that game, her goals evolved.

Rather than focusing on her own career, Leigh dedicated herself to helping Anna reach her full potential.

“My goal shifted to where I was focusing more on her getting better in her career than mine. It was more about me at first, and then when she got so good, and you could see the potential, I think it shifted, and so then it was like, ‘I want her to beat me. I want her to be better than me. I want her to get the sponsorships. I want her to win the tournaments.’”

Via

However, Anna’s father, Stephen Waters, affectionately known as “Papa Waters,” plays a vital and equally significant behind-the-scenes role.

Although Stephen doesn’t play pickleball himself, that his support has been indispensable to their success.

He works tirelessly in the background to ensure the success of his wife and daughter.

This strong family foundation is what continues to drive Anna’s career forward, alongside the dedication and sacrifices of both her parents.

The Waters family, with each member playing an essential role, stands as an example of how teamwork, support, and shared goals contribute to personal and professional success.

In Case You Didn’t Know

Anna Leigh Waters was born on January 26, 2007.
She has been home-schooled by her grandmother.
Previously, she was also a soccer player.

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Manish Tamang is a skilled content writer with a passion for sports media. With a solid background in research, analysis, and writing, he brings a keen eye for detail and a commitment to delivering engaging, informative content. Manish specializes in creating compelling narratives that capture the excitement of sports, from in-depth analysis of game strategies to the latest player news and sports industry trends.

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