Fri Nov 07 12:50:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

Anna Leigh Waters, now 18, is a pickleball phenomenon. She began playing at age 10 and quickly rose to become the sport’s top-ranked female player by age 14. Today, she’s a dominant force in the PPA Tour and earns seven figures annually through salary and endorsements with brands like Delta, DoorDash, and Ulta Beauty. Her manager compares her to Tiger Woods and Serena Williams, highlighting her youth, dominance, and marketability. Waters is focused on growing her personal brand, launching a YouTube channel, and promoting the sport globally. She is one of the sport’s highest-paid players, helping to draw sponsors and fans to pickleball.

News Article:

Pickleball Prodigy Anna Leigh Waters, 18, Nets Seven-Figure Endorsements and Dominates the Court

[CITY, STATE] – Anna Leigh Waters, an 18-year-old phenom, is rapidly transforming the landscape of professional pickleball. Waters, who picked up the sport at age 10 during a family evacuation for a hurricane, quickly ascended to the top, becoming the No. 1-ranked women’s player by the age of 14.

Now, Waters is a fixture atop the PPA Tour rankings and commands a seven-figure income thanks to lucrative brand partnerships with major companies like Delta, DoorDash, RXBar, and most recently, Ulta Beauty.

Her manager, Ryan Harwood, compares Waters to “the Tiger Woods, the Serena Williams, of pickleball,” citing her age, on-court dominance, and marketing appeal. Her agency, VaynerSports, manages everything from player contracts to social media presence, strategically securing brand deals aligned with Waters’ passions.

“We really want to make sure that it’s a product, or something, that I love,” Waters stated regarding her brand selection process. Her most recent deal with Ulta Beauty, a company she’s personally used for years, underscores her commitment to authenticity.

Waters’ influence extends beyond endorsements. She commands a UPA salary exceeding $2 million annually and is focused on expanding pickleball’s reach through promotional events and content creation, including an upcoming YouTube channel dedicated to cooking. She will appear at the Pickleball World Championships in Texas.

“Having players that we can help tell stories around is a big part of [pickleball’s] growth,” said UPA CEO Connor Pardoe, emphasizing Waters’ critical role in attracting sponsors and fans.

As Waters’ apparel and paddle deals are set to expire, industry insiders anticipate a fierce competition among companies eager to partner with the face of this rapidly growing sport.

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