Women's world No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters (19) was selected for TIME magazine's inaugural "TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports" list. A player who stands at No. 1 on the PPA Tour across all events -- singles, doubles, and mixed -- lined up alongside global icons such as LeBron James and Lionel Messi.
The issue is dated June 22, 2026. As an event that shows pickleball has broken into mainstream culture, it's drawing attention inside and outside the competitive world.
Selected in the "Innovators" category
Waters was selected in the "Innovators" category. TIME's sports version of the 100-person list is the first ever, and at 19 she is in that first cohort. The profile piece was written by Alex E. Weaver. Based in Boynton Beach, Florida, her career -- turning pro at 12 as the youngest ever, reaching the top at 15 -- was introduced anew.
Lined up with global icons
On the same list are faces representing each sport. That a pickleball player was featured in the same bracket as star-level figures from the so-called four major sports reflects the sport's rising status.
| Field | Notable selectees |
|---|---|
| Basketball | LeBron James |
| Soccer | Lionel Messi |
| Basketball (women's) | Caitlin Clark |
| Skiing | Lindsey Vonn |
| Climbing | Alex Honnold |
| Pickleball | Anna Leigh Waters |
Nike's first pickleball player
In January 2026, Waters became Nike's first signed pickleball player. She also holds a long-term deal with Franklin Pickleball. During Super Bowl week in February 2026, she appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and was photographed with Joe Montana, building up exposure beyond the sport. The spread of sponsors and exposure is the foundation of this TIME selection.
From meeting her grandfather to world No. 1
Waters encountered pickleball in 2017 in Pennsylvania through her grandfather. From there she turned pro at 12 and raced to the top at 15. Amid the rising popularity of the sport since the pandemic, TIME positions her as one of those who has kept posting outstanding results.
A step symbolizing the sport's move into the mainstream
Beyond an individual honor, making the TIME100 is proof of pickleball's growing cultural presence. That a global media outlet chose a single player as a symbol of the sport is material that boosts sponsor acquisition and new entrants. It's also a tailwind for market expansion in various countries, Japan included.
Related articles:
andMLP's new season kicks off
andThe sport as depicted in film, now
andExamining the theory that the boom is over
Source:TIME100 Sports / Anna Leigh Waters / The Dink Pickleball / TIME100 selection
