Anna Leigh Waters Net Worth and Bio 2026: Pickleball’s Powerhouse
We have all come to know Anna Leigh Waters. She is a force on the Pro Pickleball Court. I have watched her in numerous tournaments and still remain in awe at the skill and dynamic presence she brings to the sport at such a young age.
At the young age of 16, her net worth was an amazing $1.5 million. Now it is between $3-$5 million and still growing! In this post, we will learn more about her, her relationships, partnerships, achievements, and who she is as a person.
Who Is Anna Leigh Waters?
Anna Leigh Waters, born on January 26, 2007, is an American professional pickleball player who has redefined what is possible in the sport. At just 12 years old, she became the youngest professional pickleball player in history and the youngest tournament champion in the same year. She has never looked back.
Now 18 years old, she holds the No. 1 world ranking in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles — a feat she has maintained for several years running. With 181 gold medals, 39 Triple Crowns, and a 93.8% career win rate across 897 matches, she is not merely the best active player in women’s pickleball. She is, by almost every measurable standard, the most dominant athlete the sport has ever produced.
Her net worth is estimated at $3 to $5 million as of 2025 — a figure that reflects not only her tournament earnings but a sponsorship portfolio that includes a landmark multi-year deal with Nike, making her the first pickleball athlete ever signed by the brand. She is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, a media personality, and a role model for young athletes around the world.
This article explores Anna Leigh’s remarkable journey — from a hurricane evacuation that introduced her to a backyard game, to becoming the most decorated player in professional pickleball history.
Anna Leigh Waters – Bio Summary
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Anna Leigh Waters |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 2007 |
| Age | 18 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Allentown, Pennsylvania (grew up in Boynton Beach, Florida) |
| Current Residence | Boynton Beach, Florida |
| Height | 5′ 6″ (167 cm) |
| Handedness | Right |
| Nickname | AL |
| Year Turned Pro | 2019 (age 12) — youngest professional pickleball player in history |
| Education | Graduated high school 2024; no college announced — focused on professional career |
| Current PPA Ranking | #1 Women’s Singles | #1 Women’s Doubles | #1 Mixed Doubles |
| Career Win Rate | 93.8% (897 career matches across 103 tournaments, Feb 2026) |
| Recent Form | 10-0 in last 10 matches (Feb 2026) |
| Total Gold Medals | 181 gold medals — all-time record for any professional pickleball player |
| Triple Crowns | 39 Triple Crowns — all-time record (wins in singles, doubles & mixed in same event) |
| MLP Team | New Jersey 5s (No. 1 draft pick) |
| Coach / Partner | Leigh Waters (mother) — former NCAA Division I tennis player, University of South Carolina |
| Notable Partners | Ben Johns (mixed doubles) | Catherine Parenteau (women’s doubles, 2022–2024) |
| Major Sponsors | Nike (first pickleball athlete signed by Nike — multi-year deal) | Franklin Sports (signed January 8, 2026) | Lock Laces | Biofreeze | Carvana | Dynasty Financial | Shiseido | Cetaphil |
| Current Paddle | Franklin Sports signature paddle |
| Previous Sponsors | Paddletek (paddle, 2019–2025) | Fila (footwear, 2019–2025) |
| Total Career Earnings | Estimated $3 million+ (2024, including sponsorships) | $600,000+ tournament prize money |
| Current Estimated Net Worth | $3,000,000 – $5,000,000 (2025) |
| Forbes Recognition | Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports list (2023) |
| Media Appearances | CBS Sports | Live with Kelly and Ryan | Interviews with Michael Phelps, Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler | Featured in Time, Fortune, New York Times |
| Playing Style | Aggressive — powerful groundstrokes, exceptional dinking, dominant at the kitchen line; known for forehand power and two-handed backhand angles |
| How She Discovered Pickleball | 2017 — family evacuated Florida during Hurricane Irma; grandfather introduced the sport in Allentown, PA |
| Personal Interests | Fashion, cooking, travel, gaming, shopping |
| Siblings | Only child |
| Parents | Leigh Waters (mother, coach, former D-I tennis player) | Father: introduced family to pickleball |
| @a.l.waters_a1 | |
| Twitter / X | @annaleighwaters |
| DUPR ID | 1RWDQ3 |
Anna Leigh Waters Bio Summary — Updated March 2026 | SportyEscapade.com
Anna Leigh Waters: A Brief Overview
Anna Leigh Waters was born on January 26, 2007, and grew up in Boynton Beach, Florida. At 18, she has already built a career that most professional athletes never approach across a full lifetime of competing. She is currently ranked No. 1 in the world in all three disciplines — singles, doubles, and mixed doubles — by the Professional Pickleball Association, a position she has held with extraordinary consistency.
Anna Leigh’s mother, Leigh Waters, is a former NCAA Division I tennis player at the University of South Carolina, and serves as Anna Leigh’s primary coach and doubles partner at tournaments. Their mother-daughter partnership is one of the most celebrated in pickleball, and their shared dedication to the sport has produced results that have reshaped what fans and competitors expect from women’s professional play.
In 2023, Anna Leigh earned a place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 sports list — recognition that reflected not just her on-court achievements, but her growing influence as a public figure in a rapidly expanding sport. In 2026, she graduated from high school and has remained fully focused on her professional pickleball career.
What Are Anna Leigh Waters’ Career Highlights & Achievements?
The numbers that define Anna Leigh Waters’ career are almost impossible to process at first glance. As of February 2026, she has competed in 103 professional tournaments with a 93.8% career win rate — meaning she wins nearly 19 out of every 20 matches she plays. She has accumulated 181 gold medals, the most of any player in professional pickleball history, male or female.
Her most remarkable individual achievement is the Triple Crown — winning gold in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles in the same tournament. Anna Leigh has accomplished this 39 times. No other player in the sport has done it more than a handful of times. The sheer repetition of that achievement — 39 times — is what separates her not just from the current field, but from every player who has ever competed in the sport.
Among her landmark career wins: multiple US Open championships across all three disciplines, back-to-back PPA National Championships, and consistent dominance at every major PPA Tour event. In mixed doubles, her primary partner has been Ben Johns, the world’s top-ranked men’s player — forming arguably the most dominant partnership in pickleball history. In women’s doubles, she spent several seasons alongside Catherine Parenteau before transitioning to new partnerships heading into 2025.
She holds the No. 1 world ranking in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles simultaneously — a position she has maintained for longer than any player before her. In February 2026, she finished her last 10 matches with a perfect 10-0 record.
What Is Anna Leigh Waters’ Playing Style?
Anna Leigh Waters has become one of the most recognizable names in the world of pickleball thanks to her exceptional playing style and skills. She is known for her aggressive style of play, which allows her to dominate the court and take control of the game. Her speed and power on the court are unmatched, making her a formidable opponent for any player.
Waters is also known for her strength, which allows her to hit powerful shots and keep the ball in play. She can hit the ball with incredible force, often catching her opponents off guard. Her dinking skills are also exceptional, allowing her to place the ball exactly where she wants it on the court.
Waters’ playing style is a combination of aggression and finesse. Depending on the situation, she can switch between aggressive shots and more subtle dinks. This versatility makes her a difficult opponent to read and predict on the court.
Overall, Anna Leigh Waters is a skilled and talented player with a unique playing style that sets her apart from other players in the sport of pickleball. Her aggressive style, speed, power, strength, and dinking skills make her a force to be reckoned with on the court.
What Are Anna Leigh Waters’ Partnerships and Collaborations?
Anna Leigh Waters has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of pickleball. Her success has not gone unnoticed, and she has formed partnerships and collaborations with some of the biggest names in the sport.
In women’s doubles, Anna Leigh partnered with Catherine Parenteau for multiple seasons, winning back-to-back US Open Women’s Doubles Championships in 2021 and 2022, along with numerous PPA Tour titles. That partnership concluded in 2024, and Anna Leigh has since competed with different women’s doubles configurations as she and the rest of the tour continue to evolve.
In addition to her doubles partnership, Waters has also formed a mother-daughter duo with her mother, Leigh Waters. The two have competed together in several tournaments and have also been partners at select events throughout her career — a uniquely personal dimension of her competitive story. Their partnership is a testament to the power of family support and has garnered attention from fans and media alike.
Waters has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in pickleball, including Ben Johns, Kyle Yates, and Tyson McGuffin. These collaborations have allowed her to learn from some of the best players in the sport and have helped her refine her skills on the court.
In mixed doubles, her long-standing partnership with Ben Johns — the world’s top-ranked men’s player — has produced some of the most consistent results in professional pickleball. The combination of Anna Leigh’s speed, power, and dinking precision with Ben’s strategic depth and backhand mastery has made them the team every other mixed doubles pair prepares specifically to beat.
Furthermore, Waters has begun a new partnership with US paddle manufacturer Franklin, moving from Paddletek in 2026.
Overall, Anna Leigh Waters has formed numerous partnerships and collaborations throughout her career, which have significantly impacted her success. Her ability to work with others and learn from the best has helped her become one of the most dominant players in pickleball.
What Are Her Sponsorships and Endorsements?
Away from the court, Anna Leigh’s collaborations have grown far beyond the pickleball world. Her Nike partnership — the first of its kind in pickleball — signals that major mainstream sports brands now see the sport as a serious commercial category. Her Franklin Sports paddle partnership, signed in January 2026, adds another major equipment brand to her portfolio. She has also worked with Lock Laces, Biofreeze, Carvana, Dynasty Financial, Shiseido, and Cetaphil, spanning athletic, financial, and lifestyle categories.
Anna Leigh’s growing public profile has also led to collaborations and appearances with high-profile figures outside of sports — reflecting the broadening mainstream reach of both the player and the sport she has helped define.
What Brand Of Shoe Does Anna Leigh Waters Wear?
One of the biggest sponsors of Anna Leigh Waters is Nike, a well-known sportswear brand that produces high-quality athletic apparel and footwear, including pickleball shoes. Waters has been seen sporting Nike gear in many of her matches, and the brand has been a significant supporter of her career. In addition to providing her with top-of-the-line gear, Nike has also featured Waters in various advertising campaigns and promotional materials.
Nike Zoom Pickleball Shoe – Check Price on Amazon
What Paddle Does Anna Leigh Waters Use?
Franklin C45 Pickleball Paddle – Check Price on Amazon
Another major sponsor of Anna Leigh Waters is Franklin, a leading manufacturer of pickleball paddles. Waters just started her relationship with Franklin in 2026 and has even collaborated with the brand to create her own signature paddle. As one of the top players in the world, Waters’ endorsement of Franklin paddles has undoubtedly contributed to the brand’s success.
What Are The Lock Laces That Anna Leigh Waters Wears?
Lock Laces – Check Price on Amazon
In addition to Fila and Paddletek, Anna Leigh Waters has also been sponsored by Lock Laces, a company that produces innovative no-tie shoelaces. Waters has been seen wearing Lock Laces in many of her matches, and the brand has also featured her in various advertising campaigns.
Overall, Anna Leigh Waters’ success on the pickleball court has not only earned her a significant net worth but has also made her a highly sought-after endorser and sponsor. With the support of brands like Fila, Paddletek, and Lock Laces, she has continued pursuing her passion for the sport while building a successful career outside of it.
How Many Triple Crowns Has Anna Leigh Waters Won?
Anna Leigh Waters has won 39 Triple Crowns in her professional career — the most of any player in the history of the sport. A Triple Crown is awarded when a player wins gold medals in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles in the same tournament. It is one of the most demanding achievements in pickleball, requiring sustained excellence across three separate disciplines in a single weekend of competition.
To put the number 39 in context: most top professionals achieve a Triple Crown once or twice in their career. Anna Leigh has done it 39 times — at major PPA Tour events, APP Tour events, and national championships spanning multiple years. This achievement alone would qualify as the defining record of the sport, independent of everything else she has accomplished.
The table below shows a representative selection of her Triple Crown victories. A complete list would require its own dedicated article.
Summary of PPA Triple Crowns
| Tournament | Years |
| PPA National Championships | 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| US Open Pickleball Championships | 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| PPA Las Vegas Open | 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| PPA Atlanta Open | 2022, 2023 |
| PPA Desert Ridge Open | 2022, 2023 |
| PPA Orange Cup Classic | 2022, 2023 |
| PPA Seattle Open | 2022, 2023 |
| Margaritaville Beach Bash | 2022, 2023 |
| Naples Winter Classic | 2022, 2023 |
| Battle of the Bay | 2022, 2023 |
| Multiple additional PPA & APP events | 2022–2025 |
What Is Anna Leigh Waters Ranking?
Anna Leigh Waters is the No. 1-ranked pickleball player in the world in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, as confirmed by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) in February 2026. She has held the top spot across all three disciplines for several years, a level of sustained dominance that has no parallel in the sport’s history.
She first achieved the No. 1 ranking in women’s doubles in 2020, followed by mixed doubles in 2021, and singles in 2021 as well. Since claiming the top position in all three categories, she has not relinquished it. Her 93.8% career win rate across 897 matches is the highest of any active professional player, and her 10-0 record in her last 10 matches as of February 2026 confirms that the gap between her and the rest of the field remains substantial.
For context on what this dominance looks like in practice: in her first seven years as a professional, Anna Leigh won 181 gold medals and 39 Triple Crowns. The next closest female player in career gold medals is Catherine Parenteau, with 53 — a player who is herself one of the most accomplished women in the sport’s history. Anna Leigh’s medal count is more than three times that of the second-place career leader.
Her records, rankings, and consistency place her in a category that is genuinely difficult to compare to other athletes. She is 18 years old. The best is, by any reasonable projection, still ahead of her.
What Is Anna Leigh Waters’ Net Worth?
Anna Leigh Waters’ estimated net worth as of 2025 is between $3 million and $5 million — a significant increase from earlier estimates that reflected only her early tournament earnings and initial sponsorship agreements. The growth in her net worth mirrors both the rapid expansion of professional pickleball as a commercial sport and Anna Leigh’s own rising profile as its most recognisable female athlete.
Her income comes from several streams. Tournament prize money across the PPA Tour and major events has accumulated significantly over six years of professional competition. Her sponsorship portfolio — anchored by Nike, Franklin Sports, Lock Laces, Biofreeze, Carvana, Dynasty Financial, Shiseido, and Cetaphil — spans mainstream lifestyle and sports categories that would have been unthinkable for a pickleball player just a few years ago.
Her 2024 earnings alone were estimated at over $3 million when combined prize money and sponsorship income are taken together.
Anna Leigh’s Nike deal deserves particular mention. As the first pickleball athlete ever signed by Nike in a multi-year partnership, the commercial terms are believed to be the largest individual sponsorship agreement in the sport’s history. While the precise value has not been disclosed publicly, deals of this category with Nike typically represent seven-figure annual agreements. This partnership alone fundamentally changed the conversation about earning potential for professional pickleball players.
At 18 years old with the No. 1 ranking, a landmark Nike deal, and a sport that continues to grow in mainstream popularity, Anna Leigh Waters’ net worth is expected to increase substantially in the years ahead.
Who Is Anna Leigh Waters Off the Court?
Anna Leigh Waters was born on January 26, 2007, in Allentown, Pennsylvania — though most people associate her with her longtime home of Boynton Beach, Florida, where she grew up and continues to live and train. In 2024, she graduated from high school, completing her education alongside one of the most demanding professional sports schedules in pickleball. She is now fully focused on her professional career.
Away from the court, Anna Leigh has described herself as someone who enjoys fashion, cooking, gaming, shopping, and traveling. She has a warm, grounded personality that comes across clearly in media appearances — she is poised and articulate at 18 in a way that reflects years of competing in high-stakes environments from a very young age.
Despite her extraordinary public profile, people who know her describe her as genuinely humble and team-oriented, qualities that she credits in part to her mother’s influence and their close working relationship.
Anna Leigh is active on social media, where she has well over 100,000 Instagram followers. She shares content from training sessions, tournament life, and her personal interests, giving fans a genuine window into what life looks like for the world’s best pickleball player. She has also participated in charity events and high-profile media appearances that have extended her reach far beyond the pickleball community.
Impact of Major Events
Anna Leigh Waters’ net worth has been impacted by various major events in her life. Here are some of the notable events that have affected her financial situation:
COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the sports industry, including pickleball. Many tournaments were canceled or postponed, and players had to adapt to new safety protocols. However, Anna Leigh Waters continued to participate in tournaments despite the pandemic. She won several tournaments in 2020 and 2021, including the US Open Pickleball Championships. Her ability to adapt to the changing circumstances and continue winning has helped maintain her net worth.
Hurricane Irma
2017 Hurricane Irma hit Florida, causing widespread damage and power outages. The hurricane affected Anna Leigh Waters’ family, and they had to evacuate their home. However, the hurricane did not significantly impact her pickleball career or net worth.
Other Major Events
Anna Leigh Waters has also faced other major events that have impacted her life and career. For example, in 2022, she suffered a minor injury that forced her to withdraw from a tournament. However, she quickly recovered and continued to participate in other tournaments. These events have had a minor impact on her net worth.
Overall, Anna Leigh Waters’ net worth has been impacted by various events throughout her life, but her success in pickleball has helped maintain her financial stability.
Anna Leigh Waters in the Media
Anna Leigh Waters has become a household name in the world of pickleball, and her success has earned her much attention from the media. Her impressive talent and achievements have been covered by various media outlets, including CBS Sports, who featured her in a segment on their website. The segment highlighted her journey to becoming the youngest professional pickleball player in history and her recent success in national tournaments.
Anna Leigh Waters’ success has also caught the attention of celebrities, including Jamie Foxx, who invited her to play pickleball with him during a charity event. She has also been featured in interviews with Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and professional golfers Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler.
In addition to her success on the court, Anna Leigh Waters has also been recognized for her philanthropic efforts. She has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation, which raises money for research and awareness of childhood diabetes.
Anna Leigh Waters’ success and philanthropic efforts have made her a highly recognizable name in the media. Her story has inspired many, and she continues to be a role model for young athletes everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anna Leigh Waters’ annual income?
Anna Leigh Waters’ annual income is estimated to be around six figures, according to Fortune Magazine. Her net worth is estimated to be around $1.4 million, thanks to her exceptional talent and achievements in the sport of pickleball.
Who are Anna Leigh Waters’ sponsors?
Anna Leigh Waters is sponsored by several companies, including Franklin, Nike, Lock Laces, Carvana, Dynasty Financial, and Studio Margaret.
What is Tyson McGuffin’s net worth?
Tyson McGuffin is also a professional pickleball player, is between $3-$5 million.
What is the current ranking of Anna Leigh Waters?
As of October 2022, Anna Leigh 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, according to Wikipedia.
Does Anna Leigh Waters have any siblings?
No. She is an only child.
How Many Titles Has Anna Leigh Waters Won?
Anna Leigh Waters has won 181 gold medals — the most of any professional pickleball player in history, male or female. She has also won 39 Triple Crowns (gold in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in the same tournament), also an all-time record. Her titles include multiple US Open championships, back-to-back PPA National Championships, and gold medals at every major PPA Tour event.
