Pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters is making waves at the 2025 Pickleball World Championships, impressively advancing to the quarterfinals in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. As she continues to shine on the court, she recently welcomed a new addition to her family off the court — a playful puppy named Archer.
Waters, who holds the world No. 1 ranking, adopted Archer just days before the tournament began. In a heartfelt interview with PickleballTV, she shared her excitement about the new companion. “So, this is Archer,” she beamed. “I’ve been wanting a puppy for a few months and finally convinced my family. My mom found him online, and while his name was originally Twix, I renamed him Archer because the mark on his head looks like an arrow.”
The young athlete described how Archer has quickly become a beloved part of her daily life. “We’ve been cuddling in bed, I tuck him under the covers at night, and we watch movies together. He’s been a great addition — a lot of work, but a really good dog,” Waters noted fondly.
Despite the distractions of puppy parenthood, Waters remains fiercely competitive on the court. Alongside her partner Anna Bright, she dominated in the women’s doubles quarterfinals, easily defeating Ting Chieh Wei and Lindsey Newman 11-0, 11-3. The duo is set to face Kate Fahey and Tina Pisnik in the next round, as Waters aims to secure yet another title.
In mixed doubles, Waters continues her winning streak, teaming up with Ben Johns to defeat Meghan Dizon and Jaume Martinez Vich 11-5, 11-8, advancing them to the quarterfinals. Waters has also progressed in the women’s singles category, claiming victory over Jorja Johnson with scores of 11-8, 11-7. Next up, she will challenge Mary Brascia in the quarterfinals, as her dream of achieving a triple crown becomes increasingly tangible.
As Waters balances her burgeoning pickleball career with her new responsibilities as a puppy parent, her ability to perform at such a high level is commendable. This combination of personal growth and athletic excellence is inspiring, and fans eagerly await what she will accomplish next both on and off the court.