Anna Leigh Waters ESPY 2025: World No. 1 pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters made history on Wednesday night, July 16, 2025, by attending the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old athlete walked the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre, becoming the first professional pickleball player ever to appear at the annual sports event.
Waters was joined by her mother and coach, Leigh Waters, as they took part in the celebration that honors top athletes from all sports. Her appearance helped highlight the growing popularity and recognition of pickleball.
A Big Moment for Pickleball
This was the first time a professional pickleball player was invited to the ESPYs, a major awards show hosted every year to recognize athletes’ accomplishments. Anna Leigh Waters’s attendance brought the sport onto a major stage.
She said during her interview with Good Morning America,
“I’m the first pickleball athlete to be here at the ESPYs and it’s an honor to be here to represent not only myself, but also the sport as well.”
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Red Carpet Style and Family Support
Before the event, Anna Leigh Waters and her mom got ready with full glam. Anna wore a black long-sleeve gown with silver designs across the torso. Her look was paired with silver high heels and a quilted black Chanel purse. She kept her makeup simple and elegant, with soft waves and a slight cat eye.
“She kept her glam timeless and elegant, accentuating her youthful features, and had a little extra pop with a soft cat eye. Topped off with loose waves, Waters made pro pickleball look fabulous.”
The article also noted excitement about Leigh Waters’s outfit, saying,
“I also cannot wait to see what the fabulous Mama Waters wore. It was probably Gucci.”
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Interviews and Famous Friendships
While walking the red carpet, Anna Leigh Waters spoke to reporters from People Magazine and ESPN. One highlight was reuniting with American rugby player Ilona Maher, whom she had previously met at Miami Swim Week.
Ilona Maher won the award for Best Breakthrough Athlete, and the article noted that
“an award I think we can agree Waters should claim one day, too.”
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Making a Bigger Impact
Anna Leigh Waters is not only a top athlete but also someone helping grow her sport. Her appearance at the ESPYs put pickleball alongside other well-known sports like gymnastics, track, and Olympic events.
She stood proudly with many world-class athletes and showed that pickleball requires just as much skill, talent, and hard work.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters ESPY 2025
Anna Leigh Waters became the first pro pickleball athlete to attend the ESPY Awards on July 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. She wore a stylish gown, spoke to major media outlets, and shared the red carpet with top athletes, helping bring more attention and respect to the sport of pickleball.
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