DALLAS, TX – While researching every time professional pickleball has earned a coveted spot in the SportsCenter Top 10, I noticed a rather interesting trend.

There are several men who’ve made the list, including showmen who are daring enough to try crowd-pleasing shots like Jay Devilliers and Jaume Martinez Vich. James Ignatowich has even earned the top honor.

And yet, only one woman has ever been recognized with a Top 10 nod.

Surprisingly, it wasn't Anna Leigh Waters, the top-ranked female player on the planet

It was actually Catherine Parenteau, who was playing alongside Waters in a women’s doubles match The Masters in January. Parenteau delivered an impressive ATP. 

The fact that the 17-year-old phenom hasn't cracked the list at this point in her tenure on the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball circuit is unbelievably shocking to me.

Funnily enough, this is something that the Waters family must’ve noticed, too.

Anna Leigh's mother and coach, Leigh, commented on this post:

“Maybe one day,” she wrote with a laughing emoji.

I also noticed that the decision makers at SportsCenter are more likely to reward an ATP or "around-the-post" shot above all else. No aces, firefights, or crazy slam returns that are arguably more entertaining than an ATP because of the back-and-forth nature of those kinds of points. 

It’s not like Waters hasn’t delivered the kinds of shots that dazzle spectators. At least once a match, I’m watching her hit a shot that only she could successfully get to and return. And she makes it look so easy and effortless.

So why hasn't the 27-time Triple Crown winner earned some SportsCenter love?   

We can’t ignore that the sports industry as a whole heavily favors the men. And while professional pickleball is an equal opportunity sport, only one woman has been featured on the Top 10 list. By contrast, at least 10 men have been recognized.

The most decorated player of all-time, Ben Johns, has been showcased several times with his ATP efforts. And Waters has had her fair share of impressive ATPs as well.

Is it just bad luck? Or is there some bias towards men? 

Waters making the Top 10 list feels as inevitable as it was when she won her 100th career PPA title in North Carolina, so I'm sure it'll happen eventually.

And I look forward to the day I'll get to report on that.