Anna Leigh Waters’ Pickleball Reign: Anna Leigh Waters continues to dominate professional pickleball, maintaining her position as the No. 1 player. Her unmatched skills, training environment, and competitive drive set her apart, leaving fellow pros in awe of her abilities.
Anna Bright, a top competitor in women’s and mixed doubles, recently shared her perspective on Waters’ dominance on the Talk Pickle to Me podcast.
“I had a good tournament if my only losses were to Anna Leigh. If you were to list 100 skills in pickleball, Anna Leigh would probably be the best at 80 of them. Her dominance is insane.” – (bright)
The Perfect Training Environment
Waters’ success is fueled by an ideal training situation. She practices with her mother, Leigh Waters, a former pro who dedicates herself to supporting Anna Leigh’s growth.
“Anna Leigh has a perfect training situation with her mom, Leigh, being a pro and being willing to do whatever she needs to make her better. You really cannot underestimate the significance of a parent’s dedication to a child becoming great at sports. If you have a parent that is familiar with the sport and willing to spend time like Leigh and Stephen are, you can’t underestimate that advantage.” – (bright)
Beyond family support, Waters trains with elite players like Christian Alshon, further sharpening her game. Her early exposure to the sport since age 11 has given her an edge, developing instincts that are difficult for adult players to replicate.
“She’s been seeing the game since she was 11 years old. I’m trying to build the neural network that she has, but I’m an adult, so it’s just different. And she still has a perfect training situation with Leigh and is probably able to practice with Christian Alshon a lot too. It’s just a perfect storm for her to be great.” – (bright)
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A Natural Athlete With Unmatched Skills
Waters’ athleticism is a key factor in her success. Bright highlighted her natural abilities, emphasizing that Waters’ talent goes beyond training.
“She is naturally so talented with unreal hand-eye coordination. She played soccer, so her footwork is unbelievable. She probably has the most power out of every woman. Her anticipation is the best. She has every shot, and she’s a hard worker.” – (bright)
Waters’ relentless drive also separates her from the competition.
“She’s a great competitor. She wills her way to victory. I can do that sometimes, but not to the extent she can. I’m not saying she’s a better competitor than me, but I’m saying she just has the ability to really take over a women’s match like no other woman really has.” – (bright)
And we’ve seen her do that in mixed when Ben Johns isn’t playing his best and their backs are up against a wall. She makes things happen. It’s very impressive. I’m not going to say it’s not annoying, but Anna Leigh is freaking good. She’s kind of a wonder child.” – (bright)
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Can Tennis Players Challenge Waters?
With Waters at the top, some speculate whether tennis players transitioning to pickleball could dethrone her. Bright firmly disagrees.
“Honestly, no one is whooping Anna Leigh Waters. Some people may come in who can become as good. There may never be someone better, maybe there will be, but in women’s singles, it’s her best event. Every pro female has had a match against Anna Leigh when you honestly feel like you played well and you lose 2-0. Everyone has had this experience, and it is so humbling.” – (bright)
Bright recalled coaching former collegiate tennis star Kate Fahey against Waters, recognizing the immense challenge.
“So, when people say that tennis players are going to come in and beat Anna Leigh at singles, it’s a joke. I’ve had to coach Kate Fahey to play her and I said, ‘Girl, your best bet is to get on your knees and pray.’” – (bright)
A Special Talent in Pickleball
Comparing Waters to legendary athletes, Bright believes her impact on pickleball is rare.
“I think it’s like a Simone Biles situation. I don’t think people realize how special this girl is.” – (bright)
With her unparalleled skills, perfect training environment, and fierce determination, Waters remains the gold standard in pickleball. While challengers may arise, few believe anyone will surpass her dominance anytime soon.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters’ Pickleball Reign
Anna Leigh Waters remains the dominant force in pickleball, with her unmatched skills, ideal training, and relentless competitiveness setting her apart. Fellow player Anna Bright described Waters’ dominance as “insane” and dismissed the idea that tennis players could challenge her. With no signs of slowing down, Waters continues to shape the sport’s future.
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