Waters wins singles at Nationals, captures 20th Triple Crown

FARMERS BRANCH, TX - “I love coming back to Nationals. It’s kind of like my happy place.”

That’s what 16-year-old Anna Leigh Waters said Tuesday night ahead of the Deep Eddy Vodka Celebrity Pickleball Showdown, before she had played any matches at Brookhaven Country Club. 

Five days later, Waters captured her 20th career Triple Crown to pull ahead of Ben Johns for the most all-time on the PPA Tour.

Waters also successfully defended all three Nationals titles following her Triple Crown performance last year in Indian Wells, CA.

Earlier in the day, she ran through her doubles matches and didn't drop a single game alongside partners Catherine Parenteau and Ben Johns.

The World No. 1 capped off her Championship Sunday with what will probably go down as the match of the tournament, emerging with the women’s singles title after a thrilling 11-6, 7-11, 12-10 victory over Parenteau.

Waters got down early in the third game and saved multiple championship points with her unmatched ball-striking ability.

Mentally, though, it was all about self-belief.

“I know Catherine is a great player, but I also know that I can come back when I’m down,” shared Waters. “I was just remembering that and all the times I had come back before.”