Leigh Waters, Pioneer of Professional Pickleball and Mother of World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, Dies at 45
April 10, 2025 — Delray Beach, Florida
The pickleball community is mourning the loss of Leigh Waters, a trailblazing athlete, coach, and the mother of current world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters. Leigh passed away on Tuesday evening at her home in Delray Beach. She was 45.
The cause of death has not been made public, though a family statement described her passing as “sudden and unexpected.” Known both for her formidable presence on the court and her unwavering support of her daughter’s rise to the pinnacle of professional pickleball, Leigh’s impact on the sport is immeasurable.
Leigh and Anna Leigh burst onto the scene in 2017, forming the sport’s only elite mother-daughter duo. Their aggressive style, tactical brilliance, and deep connection helped redefine women’s doubles. Leigh, a former NCAA Division I tennis player at the University of South Carolina, shifted careers after introducing her daughter to pickleball during a family evacuation from Hurricane Irma — a moment that would spark a historic journey.
Over the years, Leigh transitioned into more of a coaching role, helping shape Anna Leigh into a dominant force across all disciplines of the sport. Their bond, both personal and professional, became one of the most cherished stories in pickleball.
“This is an incalculable loss,” said USA Pickleball President Robert Quicksilver. “Leigh was a fierce competitor, a loving parent, and one of the foundational pillars of the modern era of our sport.”
Anna Leigh Waters, now 18, issued a heartfelt statement late Wednesday:
“My mother was the reason I play this game. She was my first coach, my fiercest supporter, and the strongest person I’ve ever known. Every match I play from this point on will be for her.”
Leigh is survived by her husband, Stephen Waters, and their two children. A public memorial will be held next week in Delray Beach, with a celebration of her life to follow on the PPA Tour later this season.
In honor of Leigh’s legacy, the Waters family has established the Leigh Waters Foundation for Youth Pickleball, aimed at supporting and mentoring young female athletes across the country.
