Anna Leigh Waters Turns Pressure Into Wins: World No. 1 pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters recently shared her tips for staying mentally strong during tough matches. She spoke with professional player and content creator Kyle Koszuta on court, showing how mindset and belief help her bounce back when facing pressure or being behind on the scoreboard.
Using Timeouts to Refocus
In a key moment at the 2025 Zimmer Biomet The Masters, Anna Leigh Waters and her partner Ben Johns were trailing 4-10 against Tyra Hurricane Black and Christian Alshon. Anna Leigh called a timeout at match point. Her mother and coach, Leigh Waters, explained the strategy:
“When they came back in after the timeout, the game became less about being aggressive, and instead about lowering the risk on their shots. Ben is hitting the balls hard, but he’s not going for outright winners. He’s going for placement and spin because you cannot afford to lose those points. So, you have to come in with a mental mindset of ‘I’ve got to be very high-percentage with my shots.’” – (Leigh)
Leigh Waters described this as “controlled aggression.” Anna Leigh Waters added, “The main thing is belief that you can come back from that.”
Staying Positive Under Pressure
In another example, Kyle Koszuta recalled the Select Medical Orange County Cup. Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns were again down 4-10, this time against JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson. During the timeout, Anna Leigh Waters stayed strong.
“A lot of people would come over to the bench and be totally dejected, but Anna Leigh comes over and says, ‘Alright mom what do we do? I’m not losing this match.’ It’s amazing what the brain can do for you, because the minute your brain thinks ‘I can’t do it,’ your body literally can’t do it.” – (Leigh)
Anna Leigh Waters agreed. “Whatever you tell yourself out loud or in your head means so much,” she said.
Positive Self-Talk in Every Match
Anna Leigh Waters often talks to herself during matches. She says things like “Come on!” and “Fight!” to stay motivated. Even if she misses a shot, she stays confident.
“Always think and say positive things. If you can keep your emotions in check and think positive thoughts, good things will happen.” – (anna)
She explained how she handles frustration.
“Sometimes I’ll miss a shot and I’ll get so upset with myself, and that’s why I started yelling things because I yell and I can get that feeling out of my system. And then I reset. My mental coach says, ‘It’s okay to go crazy for a second after you miss a shot, as long as you get back to being yourself right after that.’” – (anna)
The Power of Mental Strength
Anna Leigh Waters shows that winning isn’t just about skill. It’s about belief, smart decisions, and how you think. Her mental strength is a big part of her success and offers lessons for players of all levels. Staying positive, managing stress, and trusting your game can make a huge difference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=365d48AacDk
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters Turns Pressure Into Wins
Anna Leigh Waters shared how staying positive and focused helps her win tough matches. With advice from her mother Leigh Waters and help from her mental coach, she shows how strong thinking leads to better play. Her mental tips are useful for players at every level of pickleball.
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