Anna Leigh Waters has just captured her 200th PPA Tour title, and she has served up plenty of iconic on-court looks along the way. To celebrate the milestone, here are some of my personal favourite outfits from her remarkable career.
One of the earliest photos I could find of Waters on a pickleball court feels like a time capsule. From her Nike shoes and Paddletek shirt to her vintage paddle, the 11-year-old in the picture had no idea how much pickleball would change her life. One thing that hasn’t changed is her signature visor and braid, a look that has remained a staple.
The blue set heard around the world
This stunning bright-blue set became one of Waters’ most iconic looks when she announced her signing with Nike as a professional athlete. It marked a major milestone, not only in her career but also in the evolution of professional pickleball.
When a global powerhouse like Nike invests in one of the sport’s top athletes, it signals how far pickleball has come. The partnership helped legitimise the sport on a larger stage and proved that pickleball is no longer just a backyard pastime. It is a growing professional game with a bright future.
Matching moments with mum
In the early days of Waters’ career, when she competed alongside her mother, Leigh, seeing the mother-daughter duo coordinate their outfits was always a treat. Both women have an eye for fashion, and these matching FILA looks with polo shrugs were among my favourites. Honestly, I think the shrugs were ahead of their time. The outfits were equal parts stylish and charming, making the moment even more special.
Celebrating No. 100
You cannot celebrate Waters’ 200th title without looking back at what she wore for her 100th. At the 2024 PPA North Carolina, Waters reached that milestone in a gorgeous turquoise FILA dress with a scalloped hemline. The look was the perfect blend of cute and sporty, and it will always be one of my personal favourites.
Polos and twirly skirts
Waters wore several variations of collared polo tops paired with tiered, twirly skirts, and I absolutely adored every version. The pink, navy and cream colourways were feminine, playful and photographed beautifully on court. These looks will forever rank among my all-time favourite outfits in professional pickleball fashion.
Sporty perfection in purple
Rounding out my top looks is a stunning purple Nike set Waters wore at the PPA Greater Zion Cup. Between the geometric cutout detailing, open-back design and matching skirt, the outfit is the definition of sporty perfection. She styled it flawlessly with white crew socks and light green-and-white shoes featuring a purple Nike swoosh to tie everything together. The attention to detail makes this look an absolute winner.
Take a trip down memory lane and revisit the best (and worst) of Waters’ FILA looks. Which of Waters’ iconic outfits was your favourite on her journey to 200 PPA Tour titles?
