Anna Leigh Waters-Hayden Patriquin Blowup: Major League Pickleball (MLP) released an official statement after a post-match confrontation between Hayden Patriquin and Anna Leigh Waters turned hostile during a match at MLP Orlando over the weekend. The incident occurred during a tense showdown between the St. Louis Shock and New Jersey 5s.
Tensions Boil Over in Orlando
With the Shock leading 2-1, the mixed doubles match held major weight. A win would seal the match, but a loss would force a Dreambreaker. After the match ended, players met at the net to tap paddles — a typical post-match gesture. But what followed was anything but typical.
Patriquin reportedly called Waters a “f*ing bch” during the paddle tap. Waters immediately reacted, stepping across the net to confront him face to face. The moment quickly escalated.
Witnesses compared the scene to a baseball brawl. Both teams rushed in. Leigh Waters, Anna Leigh’s mother and coach, was shouting. Shock team owners got involved. Even MLP’s head referee, Courtney Johnson, stepped in to try to calm things down.
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Multiple Insults Reported
The intensity of the moment wasn’t fully captured on video, according to pro player and PicklePod co-host Zane Navratil. He claimed, “Hayden called her a b***h multiple times.”
That added fuel to an already fiery situation, making it one of the most chaotic moments in MLP history.
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MLP Issues Official Response
On Monday at 1:25 p.m. ET, Major League Pickleball posted its response to X (formerly Twitter). The statement acknowledged the incident but did not meet the expectations of some fans hoping for stronger action or clarity.
A lot of people are asking for official league comment. So here we go:
1. ALW is obviously NOT a ******* *****. But she, clearly, is a bad ass and wants all the smoke. We respect that.
2. Players, please stay on your side of the court.
3. Players, please keep smack talk…— Major League Pickleball (@MajorLeaguePB) April 28, 2025
History Between Patriquin and Waters
The outburst was especially surprising given the players’ shared history. Patriquin and Waters were teammates on the New Jersey 5s during Season 1 of MLP 2023. They even played mixed doubles together. Now, only two years later, that past connection has taken a dramatic turn, raising questions about what led to the blow-up.
Waters Draws Attention Again
This is not the first time Waters has been on the receiving end of harsh words during a match. At MLP Dallas in November 2023, world No. 1 Federico Staksrud yelled, “Take that, b**ch!” after winning a point against Waters, then 16 years old. That moment also sparked backlash. Staksrud later apologized, saying it was “heat-of-the-moment emotions.”
The repeated use of profane language aimed at Waters has sparked concern within the pickleball community.
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What’s Next for MLP and Its Players
The Orlando incident has triggered widespread reaction online and across the pickleball sport. Patriquin’s known for his high-energy style, but this moment has many asking whether the line between persona and behavior has been crossed.
With MLP’s response now public, all eyes are on how the league will manage sportsmanship and player conduct moving forward. For fans and players, the moment marks a turning point in how the fast-growing sport handles high-stakes competition and conflict.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters-Hayden Patriquin Blowup
MLP Orlando turned tense when Hayden Patriquin called Anna Leigh Waters a profane name during a post-match paddle tap. Waters confronted him, leading to a chaotic scene. MLP issued a statement Monday. The event highlights growing concerns over sportsmanship and conduct in professional pickleball.
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