World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters walked the red carpet at the 2025 ESPY Awards on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles.

It marked the first time that a professional pickleball athlete participated in the annual event, which honors the best of the best in sports.

The 18-year-old was on-site at the Dolby Theatre with her mom and coach, Leigh Waters.

The pair definitely enjoyed getting their glam done before heading to the venue.

Waters looked beautiful in a sleek black long sleeve gown with a silver embellishment on the torso, styled with a classic quilted black Chanel bag and silver pumps peeking out from the hemline.

I absolutely will be following up on all the fashion details of this red carpet look. 

She kept her glam timeless and elegant, accentuating her youthful features, and had a little extra pop with a soft cat eye. Topped off with loose waves, Waters made pro pickleball look fabulous. 

I also cannot wait to see what the fabulous Mama Waters wore. It was probably Gucci.

While on the red carpet, Waters was interviewed by several reporters from People Magazine and ESPN.

Waters especially enjoyed reconnecting with American rugby star, Ilona Maher, after previously meeting at Miami Swim Week. 

Maher went on to win Best Breakthrough Athlete, an award I think we can agree Waters should claim one day, too. 

Waters is one of the many incredible female athletes who’s not only a champion in her sport, but a champion for the sport as well.

"I'm the first pickleball athlete to be here at the ESPYs and it's an honor to be here to represent not only myself, but also the sport as well," Waters told Good Morning America. 

Her appearance at the ESPYs is just another stepping stone in helping to legitimize and recognize the incredible talent, athleticism, and grit it takes to be a pro athlete in any sport – including pickleball. 

Alongside other gymnasts, track stars, Olympians, and all kinds of world-class athletes, Waters is in very good company.  

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