A number of factors contributed to Anna Leigh Waters' meteoric rise in professional pickleball - natural talent, hard work and the unwavering support of her parents, Leigh and Stephen, are front and center in that department.

Speaking of her mom and dad, Waters often refers to them as her "best friends."

Traveling across the country together from tournament to tournament has always been a blessing that continues to create lifelong memories for the whole family.

Case in point, Anna Leigh went hiking with her father in Utah ahead of the 
Black Desert Resort Red Rock Open to relax before hitting the court and adding another women's singles and women's doubles title to her resume.

"The hike was beautiful. The biggest thing we do before a tournament is allow her some time to do something where she’s not thinking about pickleball. It’s worked for so long now," explained Mr. Waters. "Typically, if we have a day before the event, we’ll try to find something to keep her busy during her downtime. We try to have an activity, whether it’s playing nine holes of golf, going to a museum, or doing a little hiking. We just like to keep her mind good.”

Parenting the most dominant female athlete in the sport is obviously a treat for him.

He relishes the opportunity to watch Anna Leigh perform on pickleball's biggest stages year-round.

“It doesn’t feel real a lot of the time. Sometimes, it hits me when we’re at places and a lot of people recognize her, but honestly it hasn’t sunk in," admitted Mr. Waters. "What she’s accomplishing for women and the sport, it’s amazing.”

Anna Leigh is an advocate for equal opportunity and equal pay in women’s athletics.

And as a pickleball superstar, she has a perfect platform to spread the word.

Stephen couldn't be happier about that.

“If you look at the pay amongst the men and women, she’s making a lot more than the males in the sport. She’s kind of setting the tone for equal pay among men and women," explained Mr. Waters. "I’m super proud of that and how she carries herself on and off the court."

One of Anna Leigh's off-the-court achievements that always brings a smile to Stephen's face came in May 2024 when she reached a major academic milestone.

"Her graduating high school a year early is quite an accomplishment that has nothing to do with pickleball," noted Mr. Waters. "She had to do that on top of pickleball."

According to Leigh, Stephen 'will literally do anything for Anna Leigh' - including getting his toenails painted pink after a bet about winning a Triple Crown at the Las Vegas Pickleball Cup last year.

"Anna Leigh and I really have a special bond. We’re alike in a lot of ways," said Mr. Waters. "On the road I have to do everything for her sometimes, but that’s what I’m here for.”

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