Johns and Waters take gold in mixed doubles

FARMERS BRANCH, TX - World No. 1s Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters came away with their 14th mixed doubles gold medal of the season on Sunday. 

The duo bested No. 2 seeds James Ignatowich and Anna Bright in three games 11-6, 11-5, 11-3.

Johns and Waters faced an 0-4 deficit in the first game, but soon found their rhythm and cruised to victory behind their precise, well-timed attacks from the kitchen.

Johns was especially complimentary of the 16-year-old, who now stands just one match away from defending her Triple Crown from last year’s Nationals.

“She’s incredible,” said Johns. “Just a phenomenal player, person, and certainly teammate.”

Waters was especially familiar seeing Ignatowich and Bright on the other side of the net because they all train together back in Florida, which she admits can complicate the emotions in the match.

“You kind of know what they’re gonna do, but you’re also friends with them,” she shared. “It’s a little weird.”

Even so, Waters takes pride in the fact that Florida-based players were making their presence known at the biggest tournament of the year.

“It’s really cool to see Florida and South Florida represent out here at Nationals,” she said.