The last time that Anna Leigh Waters competed on a ‘Championship Monday,’ she lost in both the women’s doubles and mixed doubles finals at the 2024 Austin Open.

But she would not suffer the same fate on Monday in Virginia Beach, as she defeated No. 4 seed Brooke Buckner 12-10, 11-6 to secure the women’s singles title.

Buckner had a game point at 10-9 in the first game, but Waters came up with a clutch forehand passing shot to regain the serve and used a 3-point run to take the opening game in a sequence that shifted the momentum of the entire contest.

“I kind of had to grind my way through and fight, and then I was just trying to take that energy into the second game,” Waters said afterwards. “Brooke always gives me a tough match. I felt like the conditions maybe suited her because she loves to rip the ball, and it’s a little chilly out today.”

This win gives Waters her record-extending 36^th career Triple Crown on the PPA Tour.

Despite her ever-growing list of accolades on the court, the 18-year-old is expanding her focus to off-court projects.

“I’m trying to grow my brand. My off days used to be completely for rest, and now I’m doing fun stuff like meetings and social media shoots,” she explained. “I have a lot of fun stuff in the background that we’re working on, and I’m just really excited because it feels like I have two jobs. Sometimes it’s a lot, but I know in the end that it will benefit me.”

Earlier this year, Waters made appearances at both the ESPY Awards and Miami Swim Week.