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Anna Leigh Waters: First Pro Pickleball Star Signs Nike Deal

4/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Anna Leigh Waters is the World No. 1 pickleball player.
Waters turned pro at age 12 after starting when her mother needed a partner.
She has won 181 gold medals and 39 triple crowns.
Waters signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Nike, becoming the first pickleball pro to do so.
At Ares Pickleball Slam 4 in Hollywood, Florida, Waters and Genie Bouchard lost to Andre Agassi and James Blake.

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Story summary

Anna Leigh Waters is the World No. 1 pickleball player.
Waters turned pro at age 12 after starting when her mother needed a partner.
She has won 181 gold medals and 39 triple crowns.
Waters signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Nike, becoming the first pickleball pro to do so.
At Ares Pickleball Slam 4 in Hollywood, Florida, Waters and Genie Bouchard lost to Andre Agassi and James Blake.