17-Year-Old Pickleball Athlete: Anna Leigh Waters, the American pickleball prodigy, has achieved remarkable success. By age 14, she was the No. 1 ranked player in singles, mixed doubles, and women’s doubles. With 134 career titles and 31 Triple Crowns, she is a role model for young players worldwide. Waters turns 18 on January 26, 2025.
A Young Athlete’s Journey
Waters began her career at 12, determinedly answering the question of what she wanted to be when she grew up. Initially excelling in pickleball and soccer, she chose pickleball after the COVID-19 pandemic halted her soccer aspirations. Her natural athleticism and drive helped her excel in the sport.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” – (Anna Leigh Waters)
She shared her motivation, saying,
“I really didn’t like school growing up, so I really was thinking about what I could do so that I didn’t have to go to a 9-to-5 job. I loved playing sports, so I decided to try really hard in sports so I don’t have to do that when I’m older.” – (Anna Leigh Waters)
Learning from Mentors and Challenges
Waters credits New Jersey 5s‘ team owner, Gary Vaynerchuk, for inspiring her. She reflected on his philosophy, saying,
“His motto is that you might be 40 and still not really know what you’re going to do in life. And that’s not too old. I don’t want to say, ‘Figure it out when you’re 10 or 11,’ or whenever I figured it out, because I was very blessed and very lucky that I was able to figure out what I wanted to do. And even then, I didn’t really know I was going to play pickleball.” – (Anna Leigh Waters)
“It wasn’t until I was 12 or 13 that I decided that I was going to stick to pickleball. I was very blessed that the decision was put on a platter for me and I took it. Whereas some of my friends and peers don’t know what they want to do in their life yet, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I think eventually you’ll figure it out.” – (Anna Leigh Waters)
COVID-19 shaped her decision to focus on pickleball.
“COVID made that decision for me, which kind of sucked in the moment, but I think I definitely made the right choice. The most important thing is doing what you love. Pickleball is what I love and that’s why I chose it.” – (Anna Leigh Waters)
For her, the most important factor was pursuing what she loved.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As a role model for Junior PPA players, Waters advises young athletes to follow their passions.
“My message would be to just do what you love, whenever you find it, and I think it’s the right path for you.” – (Anna Leigh Waters)
Significance and Future Impact
Waters’ journey is a testament to pursuing passion with hard work and focus. Her story inspires young players to embrace challenges and follow their dreams.
As she prepares to celebrate her 18th birthday, the pickleball community eagerly watches her next moves.
News in Brief: 17-Year-Old Pickleball Athlete
Anna Leigh Waters, a pickleball superstar at 17, holds 134 titles and 31 Triple Crowns. After COVID-19 ended her soccer ambitions, she focused on pickleball, becoming a role model for young athletes. Her message encourages others to follow their passions. She turns 18 on January 26, 2025.
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