Beyond the court: The moments that shaped Anna Leigh Waters' journey to 200 titles
Anna Leigh Waters has officially claimed her 200th career title on the PPA Tour.
While her on-court highlights speak for themselves, plenty of moments and accomplishments away from the court have also helped shape her into one of the sport's most dominant players.
From personal milestones to experiences beyond competition, here’s a look at the off-court moments that have helped fuel Waters’ remarkable journey.
Honored by Forbes
In 2023, Waters earned a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, a prestigious recognition that feels like just the beginning of her remarkable career. At just 15 years old, she was among the youngest honorees that year, further cementing her status as one of pickleball’s brightest young stars.
Getting her first car
One perk of having Carvana as the PPA Tour’s title sponsor? Waters scored a pretty unforgettable 16th birthday gift: a Range Rover. Thanks to the car-buying company known for its signature car vending machines, the young star drove away with a seriously impressive birthday present. Talk about a sweet 16!
Graduating high school
It’s easy to forget just how young Waters is, given her dominance on the court. But her accomplishments before even graduating high school are remarkable, especially considering she was balancing schoolwork with a full-time professional pickleball career.
So when Waters finally completed her last exam, donned her cap and gown, and could dedicate herself entirely to pickleball, it marked a major milestone both personally and professionally.
Attending the ESPY Awards
If there’s one thing we know about ALW, it’s that she’s always making history. Or should we say, her-story? In 2025, Waters became the first professional pickleball player to attend the ESPY Awards and walk its red carpet.
And she didn’t stop there. Waters returned to the prestigious event in 2026, proving she’s just as comfortable under the Hollywood spotlight as she is on the pickleball court. From making history in the sport to rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in entertainment, our star athlete is becoming a red-carpet regular.
Adopting Archer
When Waters showed up to the Pickleball World Championships with a new, fluffy addition to her family, the picklesphere collectively melted. Just before one of the biggest tournaments of the year, she welcomed a Bernedoodle puppy named Archer into her life and instantly gave fans another reason to adore her.
Watching Waters’ parents cuddle little Archer courtside as she competed was easily one of the sweetest moments in tournament history.
Waters has also shared how much happiness her new four-legged companion has brought to life on the road, giving her a little extra love and comfort between tournaments.
Appearing on a Times Square billboard
Not once, but twice.
Seeing your face on a Times Square billboard is a remarkable experience.
Her first appearance in 2025 was especially memorable, with the superstar proudly sporting her iconic ALW logo on one of the world’s most famous stages.
This year, Waters returned to the bright lights of New York City, this time alongside Franklin to tease the mystery “?” paddle she’s been using.
With her star power continuing to grow, something tells me this won’t be her last appearance on one of the world’s most iconic billboards.
Becoming pickleball’s first Nike Athlete
No look at Waters’ off-court accomplishments would be complete without mentioning her groundbreaking partnership with Nike, which made her the first pickleball athlete signed by the sportswear giant. The milestone was a major moment in Waters’ career and a significant step forward for professional pickleball as a whole. Having a global powerhouse like Nike invest in a pro pickleball player further legitimizes the sport while elevating Waters’ profile in the worlds of sports, fashion and pop culture.
Honored by TIME Magazine
It’s hard to argue that 2026 hasn’t been Waters’ biggest year yet. From capturing her 200th PPA Tour title to winning her first MLP Championship, the on-court accolades just keep piling up.
And those performances have helped propel her influence far beyond the pickleball court. At just 19 years old, Waters earned a spot on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in sports, cementing her status as one of the most recognizable figures in the game.
While Waters has already made plenty of history and undoubtedly has much more ahead of her, I’d argue that one of the most impactful moments in her journey happened before professional pickleball even existed.
Choosing pickleball over soccer
Throughout her career, Waters has often reflected on one seemingly small decision that changed the course of her life. Growing up, she loved both soccer and pickleball, but when the time came to focus on one sport, she chose pickleball. Looking at everything she’s accomplished since, it’s safe to say she made the right call. And we’re certainly glad she did!
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