Anna Leigh Waters Mental Toughness: World No. 1 pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters and her mother and coach, Leigh Waters, recently appeared on the Pickleballers podcast to discuss the mental strength required to reach the top. Anna Leigh emphasized that her confidence and hard work helped her become the best at a young age.
Anna Leigh Waters explained, “I always knew I’d be number one. I always thought, even when Simone Jardim was better than me and was beating me, I always thought I was better. It sounds cocky to say, but you have to have that belief and thought. Even when I was younger, playing tennis and soccer, I always thought I’ll be number one in the world at one of these sports. But I always worked super hard, too. It wasn’t like I thought that and just stepped on the court and played.”
Perfectionism and Drive
Podcast host and pickleball pro, Roscoe Bellamy, asked what motivates Anna Leigh after so many wins. She said, “It’s my hyper-competitive nature. No matter what I do, bowling, mini-golf, I won’t play certain games because I know I suck at them. Even though I’m winning a lot, I’m still losing matches, and every time I lose a match, it pushes me to want to do better. Even at a recent tournament, I was really close to winning a Triple Crown without losing a game, and I was so upset after I lost a game against Kate Fahey. I’m like ‘Oh, I really wish I won that in two.’ I’m just so nitpicky and I’m a perfectionist. I’m a little crazy to be honest.”
Leigh Waters added, “You should hear our timeout talks. She’ll be playing singles and she won the first game, she’s up 9-2 in the second game, and she misses a forehand and she comes over telling me she missed the forehand. And I’m like, ‘This is self-imposed anxiety. You’re playing insane, you missed one ball.’ But she’s such a perfectionist.”
Anna Leigh admitted, “Sometimes, it is a bit much. My mom calls it ‘crazy talk’ when I get off into a different planet and it’s too much. I’m self-aware and I’m trying to be better at it. It’s good and bad. It’s why when I’m down in a match, I’m screaming to myself because that’s just who I am.”
Fierce Competitiveness
Anna Leigh Waters’ relentless drive and mental toughness have kept her at the top of the sport. Her focus on perfection, even in small moments, shows why she continues to succeed and remain motivated to win every match. Her competitive mindset also demonstrates the work and discipline needed to maintain her world No. 1 ranking.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters Mental Toughness
World No. 1 pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters credits her success to self-belief, hyper-competitiveness, and perfectionism. She and her mother-coach Leigh Waters discussed the mental toughness needed to stay on top. Even after major wins, Anna Leigh remains driven, showing why she continues to dominate professional pickleball.