DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (2019) - Anna Leigh Waters, 12, and her mother Leigh Waters, 40, have taken the professional pickleball circuit by storm this past year, racking up an impressive series of wins and becoming the first mother-daughter pair to be named Pickleball Rocks Players of the Year.
The duo dominated women's doubles events in 2019, winning four gold medals, four silver and one bronze out of nine Open division tournaments. Their crowning achievement was winning the world's most prestigious pickleball competition, the USA Nationals at Indian Wells, Calif., showing they can compete with the top teams globally.
"People loved watching the obvious positive connection and the way they worked perfectly together to win tournament after tournament," said a spokesperson for PickleballRocks.com, which awarded the pair the honors. "Besides all the people who voted for Team Waters, what caught our attention was the wonderful mother-daughter and family connection that was present every time we personally saw them on the tournament trail."
The Waters' intuitive bond and seamless teamwork have captivated crowds in the fast-growing sport of pickleball. Anna Leigh's tennis prodigy-like skills at just 12 years old, paired with her mother's veteran poise and guidance, have proven a winning combination.
Leigh Waters said she was amazed every time she took the court with her daughter. "She is smart, encouraging, and her skills just keep getting better," Ms. Waters said. "Having her by my side on the court is so comforting and I have total confidence in her."
The Delray Beach residents took up pickleball together in 2017 to pass time while evacuated in Pennsylvania for Hurricane Irma. Now their names are etched in the annals of professional pickleball. But beyond the titles, they cherish the time together.
“Anna Leigh started playing pickleball the same day I did in Pennsylvania,” Leigh explains. “I can’t tell you what an absolute privilege it is to get to play with her. She amazes me every time I step on the court with her. She is smart, encouraging, and her skills just keep getting better. Having her by my side on the court is so comforting and I have total confidence in her. We have that mother/daughter intuition that helps us play as a true team on the court. Winning a Major title together is something that we set out to do.”
"Every day feels like a gift for us," Ms. Waters told Pickleball Magazine last year. "We are so grateful to our family, friends and supporters for making this possible."
No comments:
Post a Comment