DALLAS, TX – It’s no secret that more and more professional and recreational tennis players are making the switch to pickleball.

Regardless of their skill set on the tennis court, though, the transition to America's fastest-growing sport typically isn't seamless. It takes time and practice, and there's no guarantee of success.

Coach Leigh Waters, the mother of World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, recently shared some valuable advice for tennis players looking to establish themselves in the picklesphere.

“When Anna Leigh and I first started playing pickleball, we were both tennis players and we just went out there and ripped balls and used our tennis volleys,” explained Leigh. 

The power game was a key advantage that helped Leigh and Anna Leigh when they joined forces in pickleball, and the pair quickly became a force on the court. 

“Tennis players have the ground strokes, they have the power game, and they have great footwork and endurance,” added Leigh. “I say continue to play a little bit more tennis on the pickleball court for a little bit longer. The hardest thing is obviously the finesse and dinking, and that will come, but it takes time.”

Instead of seeing a player's tennis background as a hindrance, Leigh belives it's a major benefit. After all, Anna Leigh's trademark power makes her especially dangerous. And power matters in pickleball.

“Take advantage of what your great skill set is. Go ahead and be aggressive, hit the ball hard, and try to get in those hands battles,” insisted Leigh. “The dinking and soft game will come.”

Having coached her daughter to the top of the pickleball world, Leigh speaks from experience, so put her words of wisdom to good use.