Pickleballers Season 3, Episode 3: Leigh Waters on raising pickleball greatness

The Kitchen Team

Covering all things pickleball

Last Edited

Feb 25 2026

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News

Leigh Waters is the mom and coach of Anna Leigh Waters — the most dominant pickleball player of all time — and the person who’s been in the room for every major moment that turned Anna Leigh into the face of the sport.

In this episode of Pickleballers, Leigh sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story behind pickleball’s biggest moves: Anna Leigh signing with Nike, switching from Paddletek to Franklin, and what those months were really like behind the scenes. She breaks down the stress of negotiations, the pressure of making a once-in-a-career decision at 19, and how she kept Anna Leigh grounded while the internet and the entire sport watched every step.

Then we go deeper.

Leigh explains what it’s actually like wearing every hat at once — mom, best friend, coach, and protector — while raising someone whose “normal” is winning everything. They talk perfectionism, motivation when you’re already the best, how Anna Leigh stays obsessed with getting better, and why Leigh constantly reminds her: this level of dominance isn’t normal, and losing doesn’t mean the sky is falling.

And it’s not just pickleball strategy.

We get into the reality of Anna Leigh’s growing celebrity — security at tournaments, massive autograph lines, online hate that shows up in Leigh’s DMs, and the full team that’s now been built around Anna Leigh (social, PR, equipment, travel) to protect her peace while she keeps pushing the sport forward. Plus: women’s doubles predictions for 2026, who could eventually threaten the throne, and what pickleball still needs to do to reach the Olympics.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

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