World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters and her mom and coach, Leigh Waters, recently appeared on the Pickleballers podcast to cover a variety of topics and share some insight on professional pickleball life.

One of the subjects that came up was the remarkable success both she and Ben Johns have enjoyed, respectively, over the years, to the point where they are considered the best of the best to ever pick up a paddle.

“Sometimes I’ll say you and Ben [Johns] are the GOAT and people will respond and say, ‘It’s so early.’ But I truly believe there’s not going to be someone better, ever,” remarked podcast host, Jared Paul.

“When you throw around the term GOAT, greatest of all time, if you’re going by records, I think it’s going to be pretty hard for somebody to break Ben and I’s records. And I feel like the GOATs are the ones who have the best record,” noted Anna Leigh. “Maybe it has been easier for us because we got to do this sport at its infancy, but still we were able to do these things.”

Paul then brought up other athletes like Serena Williams and Caitlin Clark and asked Waters if she feels like she’s on that same level.

“I’m going to say no because not as many people know who I am as them, but if you’re talking about the sport, I’m the best in my sport, so technically I should be,” mentioned Waters.

“Is it a goal of yours to reach that same amount of people like Serena Williams or Caitlin Clark?” asked podcast co-host, Roscoe Bellamy.

“Yes and no. I don’t want it to affect my everyday life. I feel like they have to live a specific life which my mom has always warned me about. It’s not happening yet, but if pickleball continues to grow, I can’t go out to restaurants or go to the movies. That part of it, I’m not looking forward to. But if it gets to that point, I’m looking forward to being able to inspire that many people,” said Waters. 

Leigh Waters also revealed one of the latest pep talks she likes to give Anna Leigh before she plays at tournaments.  

“What I’ve said to her is, 'You’ve done a lot of the hard work. Look at what you’ve already done and maybe start thinking about pickleball not as much about wins and losses, but instead this is the catalyst for you to get to do so many freaking cool things that I could never do if I didn’t have the sport,'” shared Leigh. 

Bellamy referenced another common thought most people have when watching Waters fight so badly for another Triple Crown, even when she’s already won so many. 

“I think it’s because deep down I know I can do it, so if I don’t do that, I feel like I’m letting myself down or not achieving my potential,” said Anna Leigh. 

“Every time she’s lost, it’s been horrible for an hour or two after. But it’s always driven her to want to be better. That’s what I try to remind her in those hours of craziness, to use it. Every time this has happened, you’ve used it. And when it happens again, you’re going to use it. It’s not so practical anymore to win every single time. People are too good, paddles are too good. It’s going to get harder and harder. Not that you want to get used to losing, but you have to figure out a way to use it and make yourself better, which she has always done in the past,” emphasized Leigh. 

Anna Leigh said that her mom has told her this a lot recently: “Have fun out there, and pickleball is just a gateway to your greatness.”

And as Anna Leigh continues to elevate the sport and take full advantage of her incredible opportunities (like being the first pro pickleball athlete to attend the ESPY Awards), Leigh’s claims are coming true. 

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