For Anna Leigh Waters, being the best in the world is a full-time job. But off the pickleball court, Anna, regarded as the sport’s most dominant player, has a family and a close-knit circle that keep her grounded.

At 19, Anna has already established herself as the world’s top female pickleball player, building a career defined by relentless work and success to rise to No. 1 in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. 

Behind that dominance is a support system that allows her to enjoy life beyond the sport.

“It’s important to me, and it’s something I’ve obviously been doing since the beginning,” said Anna on having life outside pickleball.

Anna recently won her 200th career Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour title in the mixed doubles final at the 2026 PPA Veolia Chicago Cup alongside partner Ben Johns.

She credited her family, specifically her mother, Leigh, for helping her maintain a balance in the sport and life. A former world No. 1 professional pickleball player herself, Leigh is her daughter’s longtime doubles partner turned full-time coach and manager.

“My parents have really helped keep me grounded and taught me life values along the way, as well as values in pickleball,” Anna said. “My mom is a great pickleball coach, but she’s also my life coach. She’s my mom, and I really couldn’t do what I do without her. I wouldn’t have a head on my shoulders if it weren’t for them.”

Anna visited the Philippines this October for the Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase, with upcoming stops in Malaysia and Hong Kong. 

But she’ll be back in Manila on December 9 to grace the IAM Worldwide Pickleball Showdown, which will also feature several celebrities, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Anna turned professional at just 12 years old, becoming the youngest professional pickleball player in history.

This year, the American teen was also named to the TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports, earned multi-year sponsorships from some of the world’s biggest brands, and has become one of the most recognizable faces of pickleball’s rise into the mainstream.

Anna began homeschooling in third grade and continued her education through programs such as the International Virtual Learning Academy before graduating from high school in June 2024. 

She has since chosen to focus on her professional pickleball career rather than pursue college, despite drawing recruitment interest from US NCAA programs.

Her mother, Leigh, also played collegiate tennis at the University of South Carolina before transitioning to professional pickleball. Together, the mother-daughter tandem formed one of the sport’s most successful doubles partnerships before Leigh moved into coaching following an ACL injury.

Before committing to pickleball, Anna was likewise a high-level youth soccer and tennis player. 

She competed in soccer in Florida, received invitations to train internationally, and attracted interest from college coaches. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, disrupted those opportunities and travel plans, prompting her to turn to pickleball.

Today, her success hinges not only on her talent and work ethic but also on the people who have supported her along the way.

“We’ve also been able to build a really strong team around us. I’ve also got people back home in the US who couldn’t join us [here in Manila], but have helped me throughout my journey,” she said. “I feel like it’s a combination of things that has kept me on top, but family is probably the most important, along with hard work.”

For all the demands of competing at the highest level, Anna believes the joy of playing should never get lost in the pursuit of success.

That’s why she’s glad to see pickleball grow into a popular recreational sport, bringing together communities of players who may never aspire to compete to be professional.. 

Anna believes that enjoyment is just as important for those chasing a career as it is for those who simply want to play.

“If you want to pursue a professional pickleball career, you should definitely start playing and enjoying the process,” she said. “Whether or not you make it professionally, pickleball will always have a place in your life. Committing to getting better at the sport, whether it works out professionally or not, is a good idea.”

“Pickleball has helped me meet so many of my best friends in life, both on and off the court. It’s also taught me so many lessons,” she said. “I think it’s important to train and have fun, but also remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.” – Rappler.com