Anna Leigh Waters: The Nike Signing, The Franklin Switch, and Pickleball’s New Era

Anna Leigh Waters is the most dominant pickleball player of all time — the sport’s biggest star, the standard everyone is chasing, and now the first-ever Nike signed pickleball athlete. In this episode, Anna Leigh sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story behind the two biggest moves in pickleball: signing with Nike, and leaving Paddletek after years to join Franklin. She breaks down what the public didn’t see — the pressure of rumors before anything was actually signed, how she handled the internet going crazy after the leaked practice photo, and why she ultimately chose brands based on what would grow the sport long-term. Then we get nerdy. Anna Leigh explains the paddle testing process, why she didn’t want a “bidding war,” how important it was to actually love the paddle, and what it felt like walking into the Masters with a brand-new setup — new paddle, new Nike kit, new expectations — and still winning. She also talks foam tech, Gen 1 vs newer paddles, why the “singles paddle vs doubles paddle” trend is coming, and what she wants to build next with Franklin (shapes, thickness, and future prototypes). And with Nike, she shares what it was like visiting Nike HQ, sitting in all-day meetings, helping them think through true pickleball-specific gear, and why this partnership feels bigger than just her — it feels like a milestone for the entire sport. Delivered by @DoorDash! 🚘 Pickleballers Hat: 🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521 Instagram: 📲 @pickleballers 📲 @thekitchenpickleball 📲 @roscoebellamy 📲 @jpaulthechef 1:11 “I’m a little sick…” + why this month felt electric 2:13 The pressure of rumors before anything was actually signed 4:04 The rumor mill: every paddle brand in the mix 5:46 The leaked Nike/Franklin practice photo (and how it happened) 8:25 “Who was #2?” How the paddle decision actually went 9:13 Why she wouldn’t take money if she didn’t love the paddle 10:43 First tournament with new gear: Masters pressure + adjusting fast 12:28 Singles vs doubles paddles (different shapes/thickness) is the future 14:47 Franklin’s Vegas presentation that won her over 17:34 Leaving Paddletek after years: the emotional side 21:06 Franklin’s legacy + what it means 22:24 Paddle nerd talk: Gen 1 → foam 25:46 Nike talks begin: from “interest” to “we’re serious” 27:04 Worlds weekend + meeting Nike team (and realizing it’s real) 27:44 Nike idols: Federer, Serena, MJ, Agassi + what it symbolizes 29:11 Anna Leigh trending on Twitter 33:38 Trip to Nike HQ: all-day meetings + building pickleball-specific gear 35:22 The custom Nike jacket + “Established 2026” + insane stats 39:10 “Let’s not pretend we’re friends” — Anna Bright partnership honesty 41:04 Building chemistry with Anna + why it changed everything 43:48 Staying dominant: motivation, rewards, and what drives her 47:31 Olympics in 2032? Anna Leigh’s honest take 49:22 Trendsetter mindset: creating strategies others aren’t doing yet 50:33 Future of the game: aggression vs patience + equipment changes 51:36 Lifetime ball impact (help or hurt?) + singles vs doubles dynamics 52:56 Defining greatness: winning + inspiring growth 53:34 Losing: embarrassment, maturity, and perspective (Archer the dog) 56:52 If she had to drop an event: singles/doubles/mixed debate 58:46 Singles court rule changes + why she’s against it #annaleighwaters #ppa #mlp #nike #franklin #pickleball Source: The Kitchen - A Pickleball Community

Anuncie Aqui / Advertise Here

Sua marca para o mundo Pickleball! / Your brand for the Pickleball world!