World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters continues to redefine what’s possible in pickleball, and now the broader sports world is taking notice.

The 19-year-old phenom was named to the inaugural 2026 TIME100 Sports List, honoring the most influential figures shaping the global sports landscape.

It’s a milestone moment not just for Waters, but for a sport rapidly growing into the mainstream.

Her official TIME profile page includes a short feature written by senior correspondent Sean Gregory.

"As pickleball popularity has soared since the COVID pandemic, and the sport has become a ubiquitous presence in communities across the United States, one player has set a standard of excellence. Anna Leigh Waters, 19, the top-ranked player in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles on the PPA (Pro Pickleball Association) Tour, is not just the best; she’s nearly unbeatable," writes Gregory. "Waters, who lives in Boynton Beach, Fla., discovered pickleball in 2017 when her grandfather introduced her to the game in Pennsylvania–her family had evacuated up north during Hurricane Irma–and she and her mother started playing at a local club back in Florida. Waters turned pro at 12, making her the youngest professional pickleball player ever, and climbed to the top of the rankings at 15. In January, Nike signed her as its first pickleball athlete, which has only raised her profile. During Super Bowl week in February she appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and snapped a photo with Joe Montana."

Waters is featured in the "Innovator" category alongside Alysa Liu, Jalen Brunson, Rob Mac, Alex Honnold, Lindsey Vonn, IShowSpeed, Clara Wu Tsai, Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, Pablo Torre, Michael Rubin, Sabastian Sawe, Michele Kang, Khalida Popal, Pat McAfee, Susie Wolff, Brittany Hampton, NiJaree Canady, Cooper Flagg, Gabi Butler, Stephen M. Ross, Will Ahmed, and Sun Yingsha.

The TIME100 Sports List will appear in the Monday, June 22 issue of TIME, available on newsstands on Friday, July 12.