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Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Franklin Sports Signs the World’s No. 1 Pickleball Player Anna Leigh Waters to a Long-Term Partnership

By Franklin Sports

January 8^th, 2026

The 18-year-old pickleball phenom - currently ranked number one in women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles - joins Franklin Sports.

STOUGHTON, Mass.-Franklin Sports, a leading brand in the sporting goods industry, is proud to announce the signing of pickleball’s number one player, Anna Leigh Waters, to a long-term agreement. As Waters continues to dominate the ranks of both the Pro Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP), this exciting partnership further elevates Franklin Sports’ presence in the global pickleball landscape.

Anna Leigh Waters smiles, holding a Franklin pickleball paddle in front of her white tennis dress. Palm trees are visible in the background.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the undisputed number one pickleball player in the world to the Franklin Sports family,” said Adam Franklin, President of Franklin Sports. “Anna Leigh’s remarkable talent, competitive spirit, and passion for the game align perfectly with our mission to support athletes at every level while continuing to grow the sport globally.”

As part of the collaboration, Waters has chosen to compete with new iterations of Franklin’s award-winning C45° Carbon Fiber Paddle technology. The multi-thermoformed C45° carbon weave has firmly established itself as the leading technology on the professional circuit. She will be working closely with Franklin Sports to co-design a signature line of products including pickleball paddles, pickleball bags, and pickleball accessories.

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

"I am incredibly proud to begin this next chapter of my career with Franklin Sports,” said Waters. “When looking for the right partner for the future of my game, performance was a priority, and I’ve been so impressed by Franklin’s commitment to paddle innovation. Beyond the technology, I had an immediate connection with the team and felt like part of the family. I have a lot of trust in this partnership and am especially excited to work together on our shared vision for international growth."

Waters and Franklin Sports will also bring to market a brand-new, world-class pro pickleball to complement Franklin’s existing X-40 ball line, the number one ball in the sport.

The relationship will include athlete insights, product testing, and innovation focused on elevating performance for players at every level. The partnership also will enhance Franklin's global footprint, growing the game with international visits and innovative marketing efforts.

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Anna Leigh Waters, in a white tennis outfit and sunglasses, holding a Franklin pickleball paddle with a yellow ball on her chest.

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

Anna Leigh Waters in all white, wearing colorful sunglasses, swings a Franklin pickleball paddle.

Anna Leigh Waters Franklin Era Begins

At just 18 years old, soon to be 19 this month, Anna Leigh Waters is already the winningest player in the history of the PPA with 181 gold medals and 39 career triple crowns. She discovered her passion for the game in 2017 when her grandfather introduced her to pickleball. Originally teaming up with her mom, Leigh Waters, who remains her coach and manager, Anna Leigh helped pioneer a new, aggressive style of play that won her a passionate following. Her fierce love for the game is matched only by her dedication to her fans, inspiring a new generation of pickleball players around the world.

Franklin Sports first entered the pickleball market in 2017 with the introduction of its X-40 Ball, the Official Ball of USA Pickleball, the APP Tour, and the US Open Pickleball Championships. Franklin now offers a full portfolio of premium products including paddles, bags, nets, accessories, and more. Waters joins an impressive and growing roster of Franklin-sponsored PPA, APP, and international tour pickleball athletes. Franklin Sports continues to strengthen its reputation as the global leader in professional pickleball. For more information on Franklin Sports and pickleball, visit www.franklinsports.com/pickleball.

Photography and video assets featuring Waters can be found HERE. Photo and video credit: Franklin Sports.

About Franklin Sports

Founded by Irving Franklin in 1946, Franklin Sports is a Stoughton, Massachusetts-based sporting goods brand that manufactures and sells over 10,000 products across many different categories. Franklin Sports is proud of its partnerships with Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, Major League Volleyball, USA Pickleball, Women’s National Basketball Association, National Women’s Soccer League, Hasbro and many others. Franklin is a multigenerational, family-owned business with a rich history and trusted reputation as a quality sporting goods brand – from recreational sports all the way up to the professional level. At Franklin Sports, the team believes that sports make life better. For more information on Franklin Sports, please visit www.franklinsports.com or follow Franklin on Instagram @franklinsports and @franklinpickleball, Facebook, and X @franklinsports.

About Anna Leigh Waters

Anna Leigh Waters is pickleball’s world champion and a true phenom in the sport. Currently ranked world No. 1 in women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, she has already redefined the game with her aggressive, fast-paced playing style and remarkable dominance on the professional tour. She has captured a historic 181 gold medals and 39 triple crowns, sweeping most of her events in both Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the PPA Tour, where she is regarded as the most dominant athlete in the sport. Her medal and triple crown totals are the most of any player in professional pickleball. Waters made history at just 12 years old when she became the youngest professional pickleball player and champion in history. She discovered pickleball in 2017 when her family evacuated Florida during Hurricane Irma and her grandfather introduced them to the game in Pennsylvania. Originally teaming up with her mom, Leigh Waters, who remains her coach and manager, Anna Leigh helped pioneer a new, aggressive style of play that won her a passionate following.

A Florida native, Waters balances her professional career with being a teenager, quick to laugh and connect with fans while showing fierce determination on the court. Off the court, she enjoys fashion, cooking, travel, gaming, and shopping.

Contacts

Media:
(On behalf of Franklin Sports)
Jillian Tedeschi, Regan Communications
(617) 833-0507, jtedeschi@regancomm.com

(On behalf of Anna Leigh Waters)
Rachel Gunia, Digital & Savvy
(815) 488-8595, rachel@digitalandsavvy.com

© 2026 Franklin Sports

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