D.O.B: 1/26/2007
Hometown: Boynton Beach, FL
Nickname: ALW
Paddle Sponsor: Franklin
Paddle: Franklin Anna Leigh Waters C45° Aurelius
Instagram Handle: @a.l.waters_a1
Fun Fact: In 2023, Anna Leigh was featured on Forbes 30 under 30 list.
About Anna Leigh Waters
Anna Leigh Waters is the most decorated women’s pickleball player in the history of the sport. Anna Leigh first recorded a year-end #1 world ranking at 15, and has not relinquished control of the winner’s circle since. With a record number of Triple Crowns (where ALW won Women’s Doubles, Women’s Singles, and Mixed Doubles at the same event), Anna Leigh has already racked up a first ballot Hall of Fame resume and she isn’t even old enough to vote! A fierce competitor, beloved teammate, and proud ambassador for the sport of pickleball, ALW is a force to be reckoned with.
Anna Leigh’s Pickleball Paddle of Choice
Anna Leigh’s paddle of choice is also her signature pickleball paddle. Franklin has shown their devoation to pickleball by signing some of the biggest names in the sport, and this is the biggest yet. The best pickleball player is now with Franklin swinging the C45° Aurelius designing the perfect paddle for Anna Leigh, and you better believe she had input in the design. Designed to combine the 3 most important attributes in pickleball, the Aurelius provides a combination of power, spin, and flexibility to help you perform at the highest level.
- Face Material: 45 Degree Carbon Surface T-700 Raw Carbon Fiber
- Core Material: PowerFlex™ Core
- Aurelius™ Shape: The official shape chosen by Anna Leigh Waters, designed to support high-level competitive play.
- Core Thickness: 12.7mm | 14mm | 16mm
- Paddle Length: 15.7”
- Grip Size: 3.9”
Shop Anna Leigh's Paddle
About Franklin
In early 2026, Franklin Sports made a monumental impact on the pickleball industry by signing world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters to a long-term, multi-year partnership. This landmark deal—estimated by industry insiders to be worth upwards of $10 million—effectively positioned Franklin as a dominant force in the high-performance paddle market after the 2022 departure of Ben Johns. Transitioning from her seven-year tenure with Paddletek, Waters now competes with the C45° Aurelius, a specialized 12.7mm iteration of Franklin’s carbon fiber line designed to match her aggressive, "poppy" style of play. Beyond equipment, the collaboration is deeply integrated; Waters is co-designing a signature line of paddles and accessories and is working with the brand to launch a new professional-grade ball to complement the industry-standard X-40. This signing not only secures the most dominant athlete in the sport for Franklin but also signals a strategic shift for the brand as it pursues global expansion and technical innovation at the elite level.
--
If you need help finding the right gear, feel free to contact our Paddle Experts! Whether it be our Paddle Coach or just a nudge in the right direction, call or text 1-866-382-3465, email us at support@justpaddles.com, or utilize our live chat to speak with a Paddle Expert today. We’re JustPaddles, and we’re with you from Click to Court!
