Anna Leigh Waters: Conquering Courts, Cameras, and New Frontiers in Pickleball

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Anna Leigh Waters continues to redefine what it means to be a modern sports champion — one who dominates her game, charms fans, and builds an empire beyond the court.

Triple Threat at the Pickleball World Championships

At just 18 years old, Anna Leigh Waters remains the face of modern pickleball. At the 2025 Pickleball World Championships in Texas, she stormed into all three quarterfinals — women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles — keeping her pursuit of another triple crown alive.

Teaming up with Anna Bright, Waters breezed past Ting Chieh Wei and Lindsey Newman with a decisive 11-0, 11-3 win. The “Annas,” as fans affectionately call them, showed total command and chemistry, earning their place in the last eight where they next faced Kate Fahey and Tina Pisnik.

In mixed doubles, Waters joined forces with world No. 1 Ben Johns, defeating Meghan Dizon and Jaume Martinez Vich 11-5, 11-8. Meanwhile, in singles, she showcased her trademark composure, beating Jorja Johnson 11-8, 11-7 to advance toward another potential crown.

Her consistent performances — across three divisions — underline her dominance and stamina, setting a standard few athletes can match.

Women’s Singles - Anna Leigh Waters vs Jorja Johnson

Winning Hearts Off the Court

Even while taking the pickleball world by storm, Waters found time to introduce a new companion to her fans: an adorable puppy named Archer. Adopted just before the championships began, Archer quickly became the star’s constant companion and emotional anchor.

“So, this is Archer,” Waters told PickleballTV with a laugh. “My mom found him online. His name was actually Twix, but I renamed him Archer because the mark on his head looks like an arrow.”

She added, “He’s been a great addition — a lot of work, but a really good dog.” The heartwarming reveal gave fans a rare glimpse of Waters’ life away from the competitive spotlight and showcased her fun, relatable side.

Building a Brand Beyond the Paddle

Just days after her World Championships success, Waters made another headline-worthy move — launching her official YouTube channel on November 6, 2025. The world’s No. 1 female pickleball player introduced her channel with a promise to show fans “life on and off the court.”

Her debut video, “Welcome to my YouTube Channel!”, highlights her dual identity: a fierce competitor and a grounded, relatable young woman. The channel will feature training insights, cooking sessions, travel adventures, and challenges — all blending the athlete’s lifestyle with genuine personality.

With 165 gold medals, 37 triple crowns, and over $2 million in annual earnings, Waters is not only pickleball’s biggest star but also one of its most influential entrepreneurs. Her YouTube venture marks a new phase in her career, bridging competition and content creation.

“She’s showing the world that being an athlete today means more than winning titles,” noted The Dink Pickleball. “It’s about authenticity, connection, and legacy.”

A Visionary Partnership: Seeing the Game Differently

Waters’ forward-thinking approach also extends to her professional partnerships. Recently, she and doubles partner Anna Bright teamed up with Pilla Eyewear, powered by ZEISS, to promote performance lenses designed specifically for pickleball.

The partnership tackles a growing issue — eye strain and fatigue under harsh lighting conditions. Pilla’s filtration technology fine-tunes color perception, helping athletes track the ball with precision while reducing glare and fatigue.

“When we dialed in Anna Leigh’s prescription, she stopped mid-rally, stunned,” recalled founder Philip Pilla. “For the first time, she could see the holes in the ball as it moved through the air.”

Waters now competes with Pilla’s Razor Series — lightweight frames and customizable lenses that enhance visual clarity and reaction time. As she put it, “Every detail is sharper, every reaction is faster, and I finish matches with fresher eyes and more confidence.”

For a sport demanding precision in every split second, this partnership is nothing short of game-changing.

A Bright Future for Pickleball and Beyond

From championship dominance to digital entrepreneurship and brand collaborations, Anna Leigh Waters represents the future of professional sports. She’s not just rewriting pickleball’s record books — she’s reshaping its culture.

Her growing influence reflects how athletes today merge performance with personality, sport with storytelling, and victory with vision. As the sport itself grows into a global phenomenon, Waters is leading the charge — with a paddle in one hand and a puppy in the other.

Conclusion

Anna Leigh Waters is more than a champion; she’s a symbol of how passion and innovation can elevate an entire sport. Her journey proves that excellence is not confined to the court — it’s also found in how one connects, inspires, and evolves. Whether she’s winning titles, filming content, or setting trends, Waters embodies a generation of athletes who refuse to be one-dimensional.

As she continues blazing trails, fans can expect not only more victories but also more stories, smiles, and surprises from a star who sees the world — and the ball — more clearly than ever.

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