A Mother-Daughter Pickleball Duo Taking the Sport by Storm In the world of pickleball, a sport that has been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years, two remarkable players have emerged as a formidable mother-daughter duo. Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters, hailing from Delray Beach, Florida, have been making waves in the competitive pickleball circuit, earning accolades and turning heads with their exceptional skills and dynamic partnership. The story of Leigh and Anna Leigh's journey into pickleball is one that resonates with many newcomers to the sport. Hurricane Emma, a powerful force of nature, inadvertently introduced them to pickleball during a two-week evacuation in Pennsylvania. Little did they know that this chance encounter would be the start of an incredible journey in the world of paddle sports. Anna Leigh, who was only 10 years old at the time, and her mother Leigh, a former Division I tennis player, quickly fell in love with the game. Their pickleball adventure began in earnest when they returned to Delray Beach, Florida, where they found local courts and started playing regularly. As their passion for pickleball grew, so did their skills. The Waters duo burst onto the competitive pickleball scene, and their ascent was swift. Their first significant tournament together was the 2018 US Open, where they achieved a remarkable feat for newcomers to the sport by winning the bronze medal in the 19+ age category. However, it was their performance at the Florida Grand Slam that truly catapulted them into the spotlight. Facing off against the formidable team of Simone Jardim and Corinne Carr, Leigh and Anna Leigh exhibited remarkable tenacity and skill. They lost to Simone and Corinne in the main draw but rallied in the back draw to secure victory in a thrilling match, ultimately clinching the gold medal. It was a moment that not only marked their arrival as serious contenders but also solidified their confidence as a team. Anna Leigh, who was a mere 11 years old when they began their competitive journey, showcased her innate talent for pickleball. Her ability to grasp the strategic nuances of the game and execute advanced shots belied her age. She has since become a formidable player in her own right, playing with a maturity that defies her youth. When asked about their training regimen, Leigh and Anna Leigh emphasized the importance of drilling to refine their skills. While they both have busy schedules, they make time to practice and focus on specific aspects of their game. Anna Leigh, in particular, highlighted the significance of drilling as a means to improve her game, especially in singles matches. The duo also emphasized the need for a balanced approach to drilling and playing. They acknowledged that not everyone has the time or inclination to dedicate hours to drilling. Instead, they suggested using recreational playtime as an opportunity to work on specific skills, even if it means prioritizing development over winning. As they continue to make their mark in the pickleball world, Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters are avid fans of superhero shows like "The Flash" and "Arrow." They find solace in binge-watching these series during their limited free time, which is often consumed by pickleball, tennis, and soccer. The Waters duo's journey in pickleball is a testament to the sport's inclusivity and the potential for newcomers to make a significant impact. From a chance encounter during a hurricane evacuation to earning medals at prestigious tournaments, Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters have become a force to be reckoned with in the world of pickleball. Their story inspires not only seasoned athletes but also young players like Anna Leigh, who are breaking barriers and proving that age is no barrier to excellence in the sport. In the ever-expanding realm of pickleball, Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters have found their niche, and their journey is far from over. With an unwavering commitment to their craft, a passion for the game, and a growing list of accolades, this mother-daughter duo is poised to leave an indelible mark on the world of pickleball for years to come.
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Podcast Time Code List
6:28 - How did The Waters first get into pickleball? In 2017, Hurricane Irma came through Florida and the Waters evacuated to Pennsylvania. Leigh's dad said let's go play pickleball, which the Waters had never heard of before. They ended up staying in Pennsylvania for two weeks and playing pickleball morning, noon and night. When they got back to Florida, they found local courts and got hooked. 8:45 - How often do they play pickleball when they aren't doing tournaments? Leigh plays about 4 times a week. Anna Leigh is very busy with 3 sports, so she only plays pickleball about once or twice a week. They try to fit in about 30-45 minutes of drilling right before Anna Leigh's soccer practices. 10:24 - Leigh tells us about her tennis background. Leigh played junior tennis since age 10. She had a full tennis scholarship at the University of South Carolina and played D1 tennis for 4 years. 11:03 - What does Anna Leigh like more, tennis or pickleball? Anna Leigh says she loves them both. She likes being able to travel around the country playing pickleball. 12:37 - Anna Leigh tells us about traveling to Spain to play soccer. In September, Anna Leigh is traveling to Spain to play soccer on the US team against other countries. 13:36 - How much time do they usually spend drilling per week? They probably only drill about 2 hours per week because of Anna Leigh's busy schedule. They try to drill right before her soccer practices. Leigh recommends a 50/50 split between drilling and playing if you want to improve. You can also work on things during rec play instead of just trying to win games. 19:13 - What do The Waters like to do for fun when they aren't playing pickleball? They like to binge watch TV shows like The Flash and Arrow on Netflix. 20:26 - What was the first big tournament they did together? Their first tournament together was the 2018 US Open in Naples, FL where they won bronze in the 19+ division. 22:45 - Discussion about their big breakthrough at the Florida Grand Slam Tournament They beat Simone Jardim and Corrine Carr in the finals after losing to them earlier. This big win gave them a lot of confidence. 24:39 - Discussion about 2019 Beer City Open experience This was the first tournament together for Eddie and Webby. The Waters talk about it being an amazing experience, playing in intense matches against Simone and Corrine again. 28:34 - Grand Rapids News Clip featuring Anna Leigh (AND a quick glimpse of Eddie and Webby vs Kyle Yates) Anna Leigh was featured in a news story about the Beer City Open tournament. Webby and Eddie make a quick cameo playing against Kyle Yates. 31:45 - Eddie reads questions from social media 32:08 - Who do they admire/look up to most in the pickleball community? Leigh says Simone Jardim, who continues to dominate and play singles at age 40. Anna Leigh jokes about a 70+ player named Neil Pop (her grandfather). 34:17 - Can they give us any hints about new developments in the Paddletek paddles coming up? They say something big is being announced on October 1st but won't give any hints. 35:29 - Do they think they have changed the way women's pickleball is played? They used to be told they couldn't play aggressively at the pro level. But they stuck with their aggressive hard-hitting game and are seeing more of that style now in the women's pro game. 38:38 - Video clip from when The Waters were interviewed by Scott Golden Clip covers Anna Leigh's rapping skills and lack of peers her age who play pickleball. 40:15 - World debut of the new Eddie and Webby music video (featuring Anna Leigh), "Pickleball For Life" Eddie and Webby debut their new pickleball rap video featuring Anna Leigh Waters 45:58 - Have they seen an increase in younger kids showing an interest in pickleball near where they live in the last year? Yes, more kids are getting into it. Leigh talks about a recent kids clinic where most kids chose pickleball over the pool. Anna Leigh mentions a friend who played with her grandma and now understands that pickleball is hard. 50:07 - How do they deal with nerves when playing in tournaments? Anna Leigh says she gets nervous and does things like tighten her hair to distract herself. Lee says focusing on the ball and moving your feet helps. She also says to focus on your own game and not your intimidating opponent. 53:20 - Which tournament win is their favorite or most meaningful so far? Anna Leigh says winning the Florida Grand Slam. Leigh says winning gold at 2018 Nationals with Catherine Parenteau. 54:23 - Has Anna Leigh played with Jack Munro (formerly the youngest 5.0 player in the country)? Yes, they have played each other 3 times but never been partners. 55:29 - Discussion about Ben Johns being able to play pickleball really well right or left handed and also being great at Ping Pong. Ben apparently was able to beat Anna Leigh at ping pong using just his cell phone. 57:34 - Webby challenges Ben Johns to a ping pong match. Webby challenges Ben to a ping pong match where Ben can only use a spoon. 59:19 - Webby brings up interesting information our research team dug up about Leigh and Anna Leigh.
- Anna Leigh loves rollercoasters
- Leigh used to own and design a clothing line
- They have a bullmastiff dog named Maggie
- They used to live on and help run a hog farm
- Their Facebook page is Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters Pickleball Pros
- Instagram at leighwaterspickleballpro
- Website: ripitpickleball.com
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