Pickleball’s Rising Star Set to Out-Earn Everyone in 2024

Anna Leigh Waters is quickly becoming the highest-paid pickleball player in the world, with her agent projecting over $3 million in earnings for 2024. The 17-year-old phenom, who started pickleball after Hurricane Irma displaced her family in 2017, has dominated the sport, holding the No. 1 spot in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She has signed endorsement deals with major brands like Fila and Carvana. As pickleball’s popularity grows, Waters is leading the charge, showing that both male and female players can find lucrative opportunities in the sport.

Waters, who turned pro at just 12, balances her professional career with a love for cooking and hanging out with friends, having graduated high school a year early. She’s witnessed the explosive growth of pickleball from backyard games to national competitions, attributing its rise to the COVID pandemic, which saw more people take up the sport. Now, with major tournaments, national sponsors, and exhibition matches featuring tennis legends like Andre Agassi, Waters continues to lead the charge in pickleball’s evolution.

Her impact on the sport is undeniable, with her performance at events like Major League Pickleball showcasing her skills on a national stage. Waters plays for the New Jersey 5’s, competing in top-tier events, including a showcase at New York City’s Central Park. As she continues to dominate on the court, Waters is helping bring pickleball into the mainstream, with her success attracting even more interest and investment in the sport.