When the world’s top-ranked pickleball player, Anna Leigh Waters, signed with Nike at the start of the year, it marked a major moment for the sport. For Waters, the partnership has also brought a fresh sense of excitement to her game, along with a stylish upgrade to her on-court wardrobe.

Throughout the 2026 season, she’s embraced bold new looks—from electric blue to coral pink—showing off her playful side through Nike’s designs. At her latest tournament, the Greater Zion Cup at Black Desert Resort, Waters unveiled a new purple outfit.

“This might be one of my favorite Nike outfits, if not my favorite, that I’ve worn so far. I feel like the top is super fun, and I love the cutout in the front and back. The pattern is really cool, and my favorite colors are purple and blue, so this really ticks all the boxes for me,” she said. “I like surprising people with my outfits. I like outfits that are unexpected or the kinds that we weren’t initially planning on putting together, but then they work once you put them on together. Those are my favorite. I like to be surprised.” 

When choosing her ideal tournament outfit, Waters currently mixes pieces from Nike’s tennis collection and its eco-friendly apparel line.

“This purple outfit is technically a tennis skirt and a training top, but they’re letting me pick and choose what I want to wear,” she mentioned. “I like that I don’t have to exclusively pick from the tennis line.”  

Could we eventually see Waters step beyond her signature skirt-and-top combo on the court?

“Skirts and dresses are my preference. I competed in biker shots once and I thought I looked cute, but I’m just not as comfortable in biker shorts and leggings,” she revealed. “Even in practice, I feel like I can’t lock in mentally if I’m wearing leggings.”

When it comes to picking the perfect pickleball outfit, Waters gravitates toward bright, bold colors that really stand out.

“Unlike tennis, in pickleball you can be a little more fun and creative with your outfits, so I personally like wearing crop tops or fun shirts with bright colors,” she said. “Of course I love the all-white of the Masters tournament, but I love the outfits that are less preppy and instead are bolder with brighter colors.” 

Both Waters and her mom, Leigh, love to shop, but this new Nike deal has inspired her to fill their cart with even more fun finds.

“It’s been so fun wearing new outfits, especially from Nike. Growing up I wore a lot of Nike and I feel like recently their style has been so cute,” she explained. “Even their everyday clothes I love. I’ve been going on the Nike app and website and just adding so much stuff to my cart. It's a problem, but it’s all just so cute.”

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