Star Power and Record Crowds: Anna Leigh Waters Rules Cape Coral’s Pickleball Debut
Teenage phenom Anna Leigh Waters crushed it at the inaugural Cape Coral Open, snagging her 33rd Triple Crown victory. The youngest pro in pickleball history drew a whopping 4,400 fans to The Courts, smashing attendance expectations. Waters, known for her aggressive “banging” style, partnered with Catherine Parenteau in women’s doubles and Ben Johns in mixed doubles for the win. The tournament’s electric atmosphere and Waters’ dominance signal Cape Coral’s emergence as pickleball’s next big stage.
Pickleball sensation Anna Leigh Waters dominated once again, clinching her 33rd Triple Crown victory at the inaugural Cape Coral Open. The youngest pro in pickleball history showed why she’s the one to beat, partnering with Catherine Parenteau in women’s doubles and crushing it across all divisions. Not bad for someone who turned pro at twelve.
The tournament, held at “The Courts” in Cape Coral, Florida, drew a staggering 4,400 fans – smashing attendance expectations by 30%. Let that sink in. A first-time event, packed to the rafters. Waters and Ben Johns won together in the mixed doubles event, adding another victory to their impressive partnership.
Her journey in pickleball began when she was forced to evacuate during Irma, discovering the sport while staying with her grandfather in Pennsylvania.
The venue’s 32 pickleball courts got quite the workout, and the concession stands weren’t complaining either, raking in $70,000. Talk about a sugar rush with those courtside snacks. Players fueled up with protein-rich snacks to maintain their energy throughout the intense matches.
Waters, whose aggressive “banging” and “ripping” style revolutionized the sport, had to dig deep for her victories. She came from behind multiple times, proving she’s got grit to match her talent.
Meanwhile, the men’s singles division saw some drama when young gun John Goins knocked out pickleball powerhouse Ben Johns in the quarterfinals. Didn’t see that coming.
The Cape Coral crowd ate it all up. They cheered, they gasped, they probably spilled their drinks once or twice. The atmosphere was electric, with sold-out crowds throughout the weekend getting their money’s worth of high-level play.
When she’s not dominating the pickleball court, Waters apparently enjoys soccer, shopping, and cooking. You know, normal teenager stuff – except for the whole “being a professional athlete” thing.
The event was such a hit that Cape Coral is already plotting to become a pickleball destination powerhouse. The facility, formerly known as Lake Kennedy, is set to host the APP US Collegiate Championships soon.
With Waters and other top players putting on quite a show, it’s safe to say Cape Coral’s pickleball debut went better than anyone expected. Who knew watching people whack a wiffle ball could be this entertaining?
