In an incredible turn of events, 16-year-old Anna Waters has not only taken the pickleball world by storm but has also catapulted herself to the top of the earnings chart, surpassing even the formidable Ben Johns, the number one player in men's professional pickleball. With an impressive mix of prize money and high-profile endorsement deals with brands like Fila, Paddletek, Carvana, Lock Laces, Shiseido, and Cetaphil, Waters' estimated earnings are expected to soar well beyond Johns' $2.5 million. This young athlete is rewriting the financial landscape of the sport!

Waters’ journey in pickleball began in an unconventional manner. Born in 2007 in Delray Beach, Florida, she was introduced to the sport by her grandfather. However, her family faced a significant upheaval when they relocated to Pennsylvania in 2017 to escape the impending threat of Hurricane Irma. It was here that the seeds of her pickleball career were sown. At just 11 years old, Waters filled in for her mother during a doubles tournament in Dallas, where they clinched the silver medal in the professional category. “It was a defining moment,” Waters recounted. “My mom looked at me and said, ‘I guess you’re ready to go pro!’ That's how my journey began.”},{