Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns earned their 50th mixed doubles title together on Championship Sunday at the Select Medical Orange County Cup in Southern California. The top-seeded team beat JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson in the finals with a clean 11-4, 11-9, 11-5 sweep at Life Time Rancho San Clemente.
The match was part of the 2025 PPA Tour. Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns showed why they remain one of the strongest teams in pro pickleball. They stayed sharp and calm, even after falling behind early in the third game. Their smart play and teamwork helped them close out the win in straight games.
A Strong Start and Smart Finish
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns started the match strong, taking the first game 11-4. The second game was more competitive, but they still came out on top with an 11-9 win. In the third game, JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Still, Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns turned the game around and closed it 11-5.
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Looking Back at Their Journey
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns first played together in January 2022 at the Carvana PPA Desert Ridge Open. They won that tournament by beating Jessie Irvine and Jay Devilliers in the final. Since then, they have built a strong partnership that has lasted over three years.
Ben Johns praised the Johnson siblings after the match.
“Everyone talks about JW’s hands—and they’re certainly some of the best in the game—but Jorja is somewhat equal to that on the women’s side. Her hands are incredible, so it’s always intimidating to attack her, and her attacks are incredible as well,” he explained. “You’ve really got to be careful in kitchen points with them, and it makes for a very strategic type of chess match out there, which is very enjoyable to be a part of. Looking forward to seeing them in the next one.”
Anna Leigh Waters reflected on how nervous she was at their first tournament.
“I remember I was so nervous because I thought if we didn’t win that tournament, then Ben was never going to play with me again,” she admitted. “I think we’ve grown a lot together as a pair on and off the court and I think our chemistry is still going strong, so hopefully we have many more medals in the future.”
What This Win Means
This victory marks a major milestone for Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns. Their 50th title together shows how well they play as a team. Beating a strong duo like JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson makes the win even more impressive. Fans can expect more exciting matches from them in the future.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns
Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns won their 50th mixed doubles title at the 2025 Select Medical Orange County Cup. They beat JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson in straight games—11-4, 11-9, 11-5. The tournament was held at Life Time Rancho San Clemente in Southern California.
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