Did you know that if you Google “Anna Leigh Waters,” the search engine classifies her as an internet personality instead of a professional athlete?

This was brought to my attention by Her Campus writer Ginger Koehler, who interviewed Waters about her recent ESPYs experience.

The World No. 1 addressed her Google status with Koehler.

“I haven’t seen that, but I guess I don’t look myself up on the internet," she mentioned. “I’m a little flattered that it said that because it means I must be doing a pretty good job on social media. I’ve definitely been working on the content side because I know that’s a great way to build my brand.”

Waters clearly isn't fazed about her classification - and with good reason since her social media game is top-notch.

But, I’m offended by this whole thing.

Waters is the most dominant athlete in professional pickleball. She has 52 titles in singles, 52 in mixed, 50 in women’s doubles. And she’s only 18 years old. 

These numbers are so impressive it’s almost absurd. And yet Google says she’s an internet personality? 

No offense to the internet personalities of the world (and it seems like everyone and their mom, grandma, and golden retriever puppy is an internet personality these days), but the average internet personality doesn’t have stats in their respective fields like Waters does.

“Internet personality” almost makes it sound like Waters went viral one time for coining a trendy phrase like “girl dinner” and now she’s capitalizing on a meager following because of it. When in fact, her viral moments are point clips of her doing the literal impossible on the pickleball court. 

Google other top athletes. Ilona Maher is labeled “American rugby union player.”

Coco Gauff “American tennis player.”

Gabby Thomas “American athlete,” at least her label says she’s an athlete. Though it should specify that she's a sprinter. At least Usain Bolt’s search result says he was a runner. 

But then I Googled Ben Johns and it says he’s also an “internet personality.”

At least Google says Catherine Parenteau and Hunter Johnson are tennis players thanks to their tennis backgrounds. But Waters just made history as the first pro pickleball athlete to ever attend the ESPY Awards and yet the search algorithm still believes she’s just an internet personality?

Johns even made the cover of the Washington Post talking about his pickleball dominance and groundbreaking strategies and he’s just an internet personality? 

Waters and Johns have notable followings, but they have a following based on their pickleball, not cutesy videos of Waters unboxing rare Labubus and Johns ordering boba tea (though, I will admit I love those videos, too).

But their following is because of their dominance in pickleball. These players are athletes first, content creators second. 

So what does Google have against pro pickleball? Does Google hate pickleball? Is Google mad because their nearby tennis court was recently converted to a pickleball court? Is Google more of a padel guy? What gives?

I wish I knew. But I hope Google makes some serious changes to how they’re talking about our pickleball pros. Show them a little respect. They've earned it.

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