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American pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters, often dubbed the “queen” of the sport for having won 181 gold medals at just 19, is a standout at the PPA Hanoi Cup.
The PPA Tour Asia – Hanoi Cup, held between April 1-5, marks Waters's first official competition outside the United States during her seven-year professional career.
Born in 2007 in Delray Beach, she relocated with her family to Pennsylvania in 2017 due to Hurricane Irma, where she was introduced to pickleball by her grandfather and developed an early passion for the sport.In 2019, she became the youngest professional pickleball player in the world.
Seven years later, at 19, she has established herself as one of the sport's leading figures, having won 181 gold medals and 41 triple crowns at different tournaments. She is ranked No. 1 in the world for doubles, mixed doubles, and singles by the Professional Pickleball Association.
Waters's strengths lie in her speed, quick reflexes and aggressive playing style, making it difficult for opponents to control the pace of matches.
At the Hanoi Cup, Waters competed in women's doubles alongside Anna Bright and in mixed doubles with Ben Johns, the world's top-ranked male player.
She withdrew from her singles event due to fitness concerns following a demanding schedule. After the tournament, she is set to travel to Ho Chi Minh City on April 6-7 for training sessions and exhibition events.
She has remained largely unrivaled in women's singles in recent years, winning 22 consecutive PPA tournaments and claiming victory in all 49 finals she has contested since 2022.
Appearing on the PPA Hanoi Cup stage alongside Vietnamese representatives, Waters received a traditional conical hat that she put on.
In the women’s doubles event, Waters (R) and Bright advanced to the semifinals after defeating Chao Yi Yang and Brooke Buckner 11-4, 9-11, 11-8.
In the mixed doubles event, Waters and Johns advanced to the quarterfinals with a comfortable win. Their control of tempo and consistent shot-making allowed them to progress with little difficulty.
Since 2024, Waters has earned more than $3 million annually from prize money and endorsement deals, making her the highest-earning pickleball player in the world, ahead of Johns.
According to Forbes, Waters holds multiple commercial partnerships with brands and equipment manufacturers, including Paddletek, Carvana, Lock Laces, Shiseido and Cetaphil.
Nike has signed her as its first professional pickleball athlete, signaling a stronger focus on the sport rather than spreading investment across tennis as in the past.
