11-Year-Old Pickleball Prodigy: Anna Leigh Waters’ rise in pickleball is a mix of luck and talent. While most kids her age focus on school, Waters has become a professional athlete. This achievement makes her one of the youngest professionals in any sport.
A Twist of Fate in Texas
Waters’ journey began in 2018 when her mother needed a doubles partner for a tournament in Texas. At just 11 years old, Anna Leigh stepped in. What followed was an unexpected success.
“What’s crazy is when we got silver in that tournament. I was actually 11 and I was 12 when we beat the number one team in the world.” – (Waters)
An Unexpected Success Story
Reflecting on that first tournament, Waters shared her surprise at the outcome.
“Things often don’t go according to plan. So my mom’s partner didn’t show up to play a tournament in Texas. And my mom was like, Annie, do you want to play with me? And we actually ended up getting second in the tournament and losing to the team that won. So that was pretty cool.” – (Waters)
This experience motivated Waters to continue in the sport.
“My mom was like, alright, I guess you’re ready to play pro. The next year, we ended up playing together. And then in January or February, we ended up beating the number one team in the world.” – (Waters)
Impact on Young Athletes
Anna Leigh Waters’ success story inspires young athletes everywhere. Her determination and talent show that age doesn’t limit ambition. As she continues to compete at high levels, Waters is paving the way for more young players in pickleball and other sports.
News in Brief: 11-Year-Old Pickleball Prodigy
Anna Leigh Waters, at just 11, became a professional pickleball player after stepping in as her mother’s doubles partner in Texas.
Their unexpected silver medal finish led to her pursuing the sport seriously. Waters’ success, including defeating the world’s top team, inspires young athletes, proving that age is no barrier to ambition and talent in sports.
ALSO READ: Anna Leigh Waters Makes History as She Dominates Pickleball with Record Earnings and Titles
