Anna Leigh Waters’ Bold Move: Teaming Up with Andre Agassi at US Open Pickleball Championships
In a stunning and strategic partnership, pickleball phenom Anna Leigh Waters joined forces with tennis legend Andre Agassi at the 2025 US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida. The move created buzz across both the tennis and pickleball worlds, not only for the surprising pairing but also for its impact on the sport’s growth.
A Unique Match-Up Across Generations
With a 36-year age gap, the Waters-Agassi duo became an instant head-turner. Waters, just 18, is one of the brightest young stars in pickleball. Agassi, 54, is a former world No. 1 tennis player and eight-time Grand Slam champion. The duo competed in the mixed pro division, winning their first match in a tight battle against Stevie Petropouleas and Tristan Dussault (11-8, 9-11, 11-7).
However, their journey ended in the second round with a three-set loss to Len Yang and Trang Huynh-McClain (11-7, 4-11, 7-11), marking the conclusion of Agassi’s debut — and likely final — professional pickleball appearance.
Why Waters Chose Agassi Over Ben Johns
Waters is usually paired with top-ranked Ben Johns in mixed doubles. But the US Open’s age rule, requiring one player under 50 and one over 50, meant a new partner was needed. Rather than settle, Waters made a strategic decision to team up with Agassi — a choice driven by a shared vision for the sport.
“Andre’s goals are to grow the sport of pickleball, and that’s a huge goal of mine. I thought if we partnered together, this would be a really awesome way to grow the sport,” said Waters.
She reportedly studied Agassi’s pickleball performances on YouTube before making her decision — emphasizing that their shared aggressive playing style and mutual passion for advancing pickleball made them a strong, albeit unconventional, team.
Fan Reactions to the Loss
The duo’s early exit from the tournament sparked a range of reactions from fans and commentators alike. Some expressed disappointment, while others highlighted the significance of the partnership itself.
“It was a great experience to see Agassi back on the court, even if it was a short run.”
“Anna Leigh showed maturity in handling the loss.”
“This partnership brought a lot of attention to pickleball.”
While the outcome wasn’t as hoped, the collaboration between Waters and Agassi undeniably brought a fresh spotlight to the sport.
More Than Just a Match
Though their on-court results were short-lived, the impact of their partnership may be long-lasting. Waters and Agassi’s team-up brought a fresh spotlight to pickleball, introducing it to new audiences and hinting at the sport’s potential to attract more crossover stars from tennis and beyond.
As pickleball continues its meteoric rise, expect more innovative partnerships like this one. Whether or not Agassi returns, his brief stint in the sport — alongside one of its brightest stars — is already part of its growing legend.
