Leigh Waters: What It’s Really Like Raising Pickleball’s Greatest Player

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, 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. Delivered by @DoorDash ! 🚘 Pickleballers Hat: 🧢 [https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/pro...](https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/pro...) Instagram: 📲 @pickleballers 📲 @thekitchenpickleball 📲 @roscoebellamy 📲 @jpaulthechef 2:36 – Nike + Franklin: the stressful months leading up to both deals 4:43 – “Mom, coach, best friend”: what Leigh’s role really looks like 6:23 – “This isn’t normal”: how Leigh keeps Anna Leigh grounded 7:38 – Why the Nike/Franklin moves actually energized Anna Leigh 8:20 – What Nike HQ was like (all-day meetings, gifts, massive photo wall) 10:46 – What Nike could unlock next (events, access, collabs, Caitlin Clark) 12:24 – Ryan Harwood’s impact + doing deals the right way (no bidding wars) 13:42 – Pickleball Power 50 + Leigh’s real influence in the sport 14:34 – “Did you give up your dreams?” 16:39 – Coaching other players vs coaching your daughter 18:51 – Leigh playing again 22:33 – How Anna Leigh stays motivated when she’s already the best 24:05 – The perfectionism and obsession that drives Anna Leigh 26:13 – Who could threaten Anna Leigh’s reign (Caitlin Christian + wildcards) 29:51 – Women’s doubles landscape + who can challenge Anna Leigh/AB 35:36 – Being the mom of the GOAT 36:59 – Missing “normal life” (prom, friends, growing up in the spotlight) 41:21 – Fame is real now: security, fan lines, and managing the hate 44:43 – “Psycho mom” comments + the truth about money and the team 45:47 – The full team: PT, RV driver, publicist, and more 49:15 – Pickleball in the Olympics #LeighWaters #PPA #MLP #AnnaLeighWaters #Pickleball #Pickeballers Source: The Kitchen - A Pickleball Community

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