Waters Duo Claims Women’s Doubles Title at Holly Hill PPA Championship

Anna Leigh Waters and her mother, Leigh Waters, began Championship Sunday with a stunning 7-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 victory over Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black in the women’s doubles final.

A Slow Start Turned Into a Dominant Finish

The mother-daughter tandem started off slowly against the Dallas Flash duo, dropping the first game and falling behind 1-7 in the second. However, they staged a remarkable comeback, winning three consecutive games to claim the title.

Anna Leigh Waters attributed the turnaround to a mindset shift.

“For the first game and a half, Jorja and Tyra were playing amazing, but we just weren’t having fun,” she explained. “We were putting too much pressure on ourselves, and then my mom looked at me and said, ‘Anna Leigh, you’re playing with your mom. Just have some fun out there.’ After that, we found our rhythm with some scrappy points and good speedups.”

Strategic Support from Leigh Waters

Leigh Waters, who has been focusing more on coaching in recent years, emphasized her role in supporting her 17-year-old daughter during the match.

“When I try to be the act out there, that’s when things go badly,” Leigh said. “When I realized I should just be the supporting act, making balls and setting [Anna Leigh] up in kitchen rallies, we did our best. That’s what worked.”

First Title Since 2022 Texas Open

This victory marks the Waters’ first PPA title together since the 2022 Texas Open. Leigh Waters reflected on the joy of competing alongside her daughter again.

“I just wanted to have a blast out here with her and do this one more time,” she said. “I never expected to win the darn thing, but here we are. I couldn’t be happier.”

Bronze Medal Match Recap

In the bronze medal match, Anna Bright and Jackie Kawamoto defeated Tina Pisnik and Allyce Jones with a 7-11, 11-3, 11-6 scoreline, rounding out a thrilling weekend in Holly Hill.

Legacy of Excellence

Anna Leigh Waters, the current world No. 2 in women’s singles, continues solidifying her reputation as a dominant force in pickleball. Meanwhile, Leigh Waters’ return to competition after two years primarily as a coach adds a sentimental and triumphant layer to their latest victory.