In a sport once reserved for retirees and weekend hobbyists, Anna Leigh Waters has flipped the script. She’s young, fearless, and dominating courts across the country.
But pickleball’s biggest star isn’t just racking up wins she’s building a brand, making millions, and shaping the future of the game. In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down Anna Leigh Waters’ net worth in 2025, her career rise, brand deals, family, and everything else you need to know about this pickleball phenom.
Anna Leigh Waters Net Worth in 2025
In 2025, Anna Leigh Waters’ net worth is estimated to be $3 million and climbing. Her earning power has skyrocketed due to her PPA Tour dominance, brand endorsements, and media presence.
Breakdown of Earnings:
| Source | Estimated Earnings (Annual) |
|---|---|
| Tournament Prize Money | $600,000+ |
| Sponsorships & Partnerships | $1.8 million+ |
| Social Media & Content | $250,000+ |
| Signature Gear | $350,000+ |
Total Estimated 2025 Net Worth: $3 Million
Major Sources of Income
Anna Leigh’s revenue doesn’t just come from swinging a paddle. She’s a brand. A business. A blueprint for the modern athlete.
1. Tournament Winnings
With over 100 gold medals, she’s banking six-figure prize money annually. She’s frequently seen on Championship Court Sundays.
2. Sponsorships & Brand Endorsements
She has inked deals with:
- Paddletek – Custom Bantam ALW paddle series
- FILA – Shoes and athletic apparel
- Carvana, Skechers, Shiseido, Biofreeze, Cetaphil – Lifestyle and health brands
“Anna Leigh is a marketer’s dream: young, driven, and authentic,” shared an executive from FILA during a press event.
3. Signature Product Lines
Her Paddletek ALW-C paddle has sold tens of thousands of units globally. Custom shoes and apparel are also on the way.
Who Is Anna Leigh Waters?
Born on January 26, 2007, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Anna Leigh Waters is the face of the fastest-growing sport in America: pickleball. At just 18 years old, she’s already ranked world No. 1 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Her journey began unexpectedly in 2017 during a Hurricane Irma evacuation. While staying with family in Pennsylvania, she and her mom picked up paddles for fun. That “fun” turned into a world-class partnership and the birth of a legend.
Early Life and Family Background
Anna Leigh comes from a competitive, athletic family. Her mother, Leigh Waters, was a former collegiate tennis player and quickly spotted her daughter’s raw talent. Rather than returning to life as usual after the hurricane, they dove headfirst into pickleball.
- Mother: Leigh Waters – doubles partner and manager
- Father: Stephen Waters – key supporter and brand advisor
- Grandmother: Homeschooled Anna Leigh, allowing flexibility for travel and training
“We saw it as something we could do together, and she just fell in love with the game,” said Leigh Waters in an interview with Pickleball Magazine.
The Rise to Pickleball Stardom
By 2019, Anna Leigh went pro at the age of 12. And not just pro dominant. Her style? Aggressive, strategic, and driven.
She wasn’t just “good for her age” she was beating seasoned pros, claiming titles, and rewriting what it meant to be a pickleball athlete.
Major Highlights:
- First professional tournament: 2019
- Triple Crown victories: Numerous, including PPA Masters and Atlanta Open
- World #1 Rankings: Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles as of 2025
Career Highlights and Championship Success
Let’s talk numbers. Anna Leigh isn’t just winning she’s building a legacy. Her pickleball career is packed with achievements few can touch.
| Year | Titles Won | Triple Crowns | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15 | 3 | Nationals, Atlanta Open |
| 2022 | 20 | 4 | US Open, Texas Open |
| 2023 | 24 | 5 | PPA Masters, Championship Sunday |
| 2024 | 28 | 7 | Carvana Arizona Open |
| 2025 (YTD) | 14 | 3 | PPA Hyundai Masters, Florida Slam |
“She’s rewriting the rulebook in every match she plays,” said PPA Tour President Connor Pardoe.
Anna Leigh’s dominance comes from her dynamic court movement, precision strikes, and the telepathic connection she shares with her mom, Leigh Waters, in doubles.
Brand Endorsements and Sponsorship Strategy
Unlike other athletes who wait for brands to call, Anna Leigh Waters and her team led by Leigh Waters strategically built her market appeal.
She promotes products she actually uses. Whether it’s FILA gear, Shiseido skincare, or Paddletek paddles, each partnership is authentic, not forced.
Here’s a snapshot of her top endorsement partnerships:
| Brand | Product Type | Role/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Paddletek | Signature Paddle | Most sold paddle of 2024 |
| FILA | Shoes/Apparel | Exclusive line for 2025 |
| Biofreeze | Pain relief | Featured in ads/tour kits |
| Cetaphil | Skincare | Health-focused messaging |
| Carvana | Lifestyle/Auto | Crossover into mainstream |
Social Media Presence and Influence
With over 122K Instagram followers, thousands more on TikTok and YouTube, Anna Leigh isn’t just a champion on the court she’s one on your feed.
- Instagram (@a.l.waters_a1): Match highlights, behind-the-scenes, lifestyle
- TikTok: Training routines, Q&A with fans, tournament vlogs
- YouTube (pending expansion): Likely to grow in 2025 as content becomes a bigger revenue stream
Her social media has helped boost pickleball’s popularity among younger audiences.
Unique Playing Style and Strategy
Unlike traditional pickleball players, Anna Leigh blends tennis footwork with aggressive forehands, and her net dominance is unmatched.
Key Traits of Her Game:
- Fast-paced play
- Explosive serves and returns
- Unpredictable angles
- High-level mental toughness
She’s coined her style as “banging and ripping” relentless, exciting, and crowd-pleasing.
Leigh Waters – The Power Behind the Prodigy
Leigh Waters isn’t just a doubles partner. She’s the architect behind Anna Leigh’s journey.
From managing schedules and media to coaching and training, Leigh has been there every step of the way.
Together, they became the first mother-daughter team to play professionally in the sport’s history.
Education and Personal Life
Anna Leigh graduated from homeschool in early 2024, just before her 18th birthday. This allowed her to dedicate herself full-time to her sport.
Despite her fame, she’s stayed grounded. She travels with family, keeps a tight-knit circle, and values time off-court.
“We’re a team. Family first, always,” – Leigh Waters during an interview with Pickleball Channel.
Off-Court Activities and Public Work
When she’s not smashing serves, Anna Leigh is speaking at events, working with youth pickleball clinics, and advocating for mental health in sports.
She’s also part of campaigns pushing for equal prize money for people in PPA Tour events a cause close to her heart.
Dominance in the PPA Tour
Her track record at PPA Tour events is nothing short of legendary. In fact, Anna Leigh has won more gold medals than any other player male or female since 2021.
Fun Fact:
She won a Triple Crown (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) at the 2025 PPA Hyundai Masters a feat only a handful of players have ever achieved.
Influence on Pickleball’s Future
Let’s be real pickleball was never meant to be this cool. But Anna Leigh Waters has changed the narrative.
She’s helped:
- Draw millions of new players to the game
- Raise prize money and endorsement levels
- Secure broadcast deals for matches
- Attract sponsors from outside traditional sports industries
If pickleball’s future has a face, it’s hers.
What’s Next for Anna Leigh Waters?
Anna Leigh is just getting started. With ambitions to grow her media presence, launch a fashion line, and possibly mentor the next wave of young athletes, she’s thinking big.
Expect:
- More international exhibitions
- Exclusive product collaborations
- Expanded YouTube and brand content
- Continued PPA Tour dominance
See Also: Kyle Busch Net Worth 2025 – Family, Career and More
Final Thoughts
Anna Leigh Waters isn’t just a teenager playing pickleball. She’s a global athlete, a business powerhouse, and the standard-bearer of an emerging sport.
Her net worth of $3 million in 2025 is just the beginning. Whether she’s crushing a forehand or closing a sponsorship deal, Anna Leigh is setting the pace and everyone else is just trying to keep up.
Quick Facts Recap
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Anna Leigh Waters |
| Age (2025) | 18 |
| Sport | Pickleball |
| Turned Pro | 2019 (at age 12) |
| Net Worth (2025) | ~$3 Million |
| Brand Partnerships | Paddletek, FILA, Biofreeze, more |
| Social Media | Instagram, TikTok, YouTube |
| Rankings | #1 Singles, Doubles, Mixed |
| Known For | Triple Crowns, Youth Movement |
| Role Model | Yes, especially among youth |
Sara Smith is a dedicated celebrity news writer known for her fresh perspective and passion for entertainment reporting. A graduate in journalism, she specializes in breaking news, celebrity interviews, and in-depth profiles. Sara’s sharp instincts and authentic voice set her work apart on Celebrity Quora, where she constantly delivers well-researched, engaging stories that resonate with fans who want more than just surface-level celebrity gossip.
