Anna Leigh Waters Shines at Miami Swim Week: Anna Leigh Waters, the top-ranked pickleball player in the world, took part in Miami Swim Week at the W Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, over the weekend. She attended the event with her mother, Leigh Waters, and met other top female athletes and public figures. This appearance came shortly after a billboard in Times Square celebrated her achievements in pickleball.
The 18-year-old was invited to the event through her new partnership with Vayner Sports. Waters used the chance to make connections and enjoy the spotlight off the court.
Meeting Big Names in Sports and Pop Culture
Anna Leigh Waters met several famous women during the event, including Livvy Dunne, Alix Earle, and Ilona Maher.
Waters was especially excited to speak with Ilona Maher, a professional rugby player who helped the U.S. women’s rugby team win gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
“It was funny because my mom and I were staring at her for a while. We were trying to make sure it was her before we walked up to her and started talking,”. “Then I was introduced to her, and she was super sweet. It was cool because she’s also an athlete and she’s doing a ton of other amazing things with her career, so I really liked talking to another high-profile athlete.”(Anna Leigh Waters)
Waters also connected well with Livvy Dunne, a social media star and college athlete.
“She was so personable to me. We just got along so easily and we had so much in common. I definitely talked to her the longest,”(Anna Leigh Waters).
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Recognized by Fans and New Connections
Even though she was among other famous guests, Anna Leigh Waters was recognized by many people at the event.
“It was really fun to meet some people who’d heard of pickleball and heard of me, and there were a lot of high-profile people there, so it was great to connect with different people and make some great contacts” (Anna Leigh Waters).
Waters said one of her goals is to appear in Sports Illustrated someday. She saw this event as an important first step toward making that happen.
“It’s one of my dreams to be on Sports Illustrated, so it was a great introduction to meet all the people there. I’m really hoping I’ll get that opportunity one day,” (Anna Leigh Waters).
Fashion and Fun at the Beach
For the big event, Anna Leigh Waters wore a pink and red two-piece set from Versace that matched the beach setting perfectly. However, she didn’t realize the event would actually take place on the sand.
“We didn’t realize it was going to actually be on the beach, so thank goodness my mom was there because she was holding my shoes for me and taking pictures. She’s the best mom ever. I was so glad she was there with me because it was just such a cool experience, and having her there with me made it so much better,”(Anna Leigh Waters).
A Rising Star Beyond Pickleball
Anna Leigh Waters continues to grow both in and out of the sport. With her recent signing to Vayner Sports, public recognition in Times Square, and new connections in the fashion and sports world, she is quickly becoming a major figure beyond just pickleball.
As she builds her profile, events like Miami Swim Week could be the first steps toward even bigger goals—like a future cover of Sports Illustrated.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters Shines at Miami Swim Week
Anna Leigh Waters joined Miami Swim Week and met athletes like Ilona Maher and Livvy Dunne. She wore a Versace outfit and attended thanks to Vayner Sports. Waters also talked about her dream of appearing in Sports Illustrated. She called it a “cool experience” and made many new connections.