Transcript

Abby Wambach (0:00)

We've heard about the crazy talk you do on the court. Can you give us a taste of what your crazy talk sounds like on the court?

Anna Lee Waters (0:07)

Fight. Fight. Fight. Come on, Ao.

Julie Foudy (0:09)

Fight.

Anna Lee Waters (0:10)

That's what it sounds like. Attention.

Abby Wambach (0:15)

The party is about to commence.

Julie Foudy (0:23)

Welcome to the party. What's up, party people? I'm Julie Foudy.

Abby Wambach (0:32)

And I'm Abby Wambach.

Billie Jean King (0:34)

And I'm Billie Jean King.

Abby Wambach (0:36)

Hi, Billy.

Julie Foudy (0:37)

Hi, Kinger. We got a. We have a good one for y' all today, party people. Coming up. At only 19 years old, she's out earning the men in her sport and considered the goat of pickleball. And if you don't already know her name, you need to. It's Anna Lee Waters. She's adorable and no big deal, but she's about to take on James Blake and Andre Agassi this week in Pickleball Slam 4, which kinger you know a thing or two about. They're billing it as the battle of the sexist type matchup. But pickleball style, of course. Guys versus gals. And doubles. I love this.

Billie Jean King (1:16)

I love this so much. Yeah, she's gonna play with Jean Burchard, who got the finals of Wimbledon.

Abby Wambach (1:22)

So.

Julie Foudy (1:22)

Really good one. Yeah. So Kinger gives her some advice in. In our interview coming up. And I. I'm dying to know, did you play pickleball Kinger, or Abby? I don't know this answer, actually, Kinger.

Billie Jean King (1:37)

No, I play it. I tried it once or twice, but I have. You know, I'm still working full time, so I want to. Ilana and I get a chance to play tennis. Man, I'm going for tennis right now. Maybe pickleball in the future. You never know.

Abby Wambach (1:50)

I've. I've played. I've played a few times. I played probably 10 times.

Billie Jean King (1:54)

Summary

Welcome to the Party – Episode Summary

Podcast: Welcome to the Party
Episode Title: The 19-Year-Old Who’s Beating EVERYONE
Release Date: April 14, 2026
Hosts: Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, Billie Jean King
Guest: Anna Leigh Waters

Episode Overview

In this energetic episode, soccer icons and host Billie Jean King welcome the rising superstar of pickleball, Anna Leigh Waters. At just 19, Waters is dominating her sport: breaking records, out-earning men, redefining the game’s culture, and prepping to take on tennis legends in the highly anticipated “Battle of the Sexes” Pickleball Slam. The discussion dives into her fast ascent, the explosive growth of pickleball, pay equity in pro sports, generational impact, and a candid look at what it takes to win – whether it’s on the court, in business, or in the fight for equality.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Anna Leigh Waters: Trailblazer in Pickleball (28:41–54:41)

Anna Leigh Waters is the world’s undisputed #1 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles pickleball. At 19, she's already amassed 189 gold medals, with a record-breaking 84–0 singles streak since January 2025 and a 102–1 overall record in 2026.
Turned pro at 12 years old, often competing with/against her mom, Lee, who became her coach and manager following an ACL injury.
She’s now Nike’s first pro pickleball athlete and the first female athlete in any professional sport to out-earn men in her field.
Anna Leigh recently returned from Vietnam, describing surreal celebrity status there compared to the U.S., where she's largely anonymous off the court.
She’s passionate about growing youth and global participation, noting youth involvement is lagging behind the 20–80 age group.

2. The Culture & Growth of Pickleball (29:38–50:06)

Pickleball is growing exponentially: 40% of people in Vietnam play it, with 85% of those following the pro tour.
Waters says pickleball’s appeal is multigenerational and community-driven—and more trendy and accessible than tennis.
“I love that pickleball out of the gates was like, let's just pay everyone equally. Let's make it easier. So Annalee didn't have to spend her whole damn life fighting for equal pay.” —Julie Foudy (28:23)
The pro scene has two main leagues: the PPA (Pro Pickleball Association) Tour (individual/pro), and the MLP (Major League Pickleball) for team play. International expansion is happening fast, with regional PPA tours now in Asia and Australia.
The racquet is an equalizer: Waters recalls playing doubles with her 70-year-old grandfather at age 11.
"The fast twitch muscles and reactions you have in pickleball—it's incredible. And being at the net? Scary!" —Abby Wambach (39:19)

3. Mental Game, “Crazy Talk,” & Competitiveness (33:40–38:38; 56:47–61:12)

Waters attributes her edge to mental toughness and positivity: “I'm very vocal, so I'm always like—right idea, come on, Annalee, fight. That's kind of like my motto. Like, fight, fight, fight… and I pull myself out of a lot of holes that way.” (34:05)
She embraces feistiness and isn't afraid to show emotion on court, often shouting encouragements—“Fight! Come on, AL!” (00:07; 56:47)
“You need to stick your flag in the ground, say: ‘I care the most about this.’ That’s what made the US soccer national team so successful.” —Abby Wambach (37:14)
On influencing others, Waters notes "opponents have started saying some of my sayings on the court…maybe they're mocking me or maybe trying to get out of the hole. But it's because I win!” (56:58)

4. The “Battle of the Sexes” & Pickleball Slam 4 (41:18–45:08)

Waters is set to compete against James Blake in singles and then in mixed doubles with Jeanne Bouchard against Blake and Andre Agassi, with a $1M purse on the line for “Pickleball Slam 4,” billed as a modern “battle of the sexes.”
Billie Jean King offers advice, referencing her own historic 1973 match: “Take no prisoners. Just get him!” (41:56)
Discussion on tennis-to-pickleball crossover: Tennis experience is an advantage, but too much tennis can be a liability due to different play dynamics.

5. Pay Equity & the Business of Pickleball (51:35–54:41)

Pickleball started with pay equity from the beginning—a unique and impactful move.
Anna Leigh: “It was always equal pay…so I was growing up in that and it was really eye opening for me, when I got older, and learned about other sports and it wasn’t the same…I think it’s cool that this young generation of kids who play pickleball are growing up thinking that’s normal.” (52:06)
On out-earning men: “That’s kind of more of a flex to me.” She emphasizes her work on building a brand on and off the court.

6. Women's Sports Headlines & Updates (02:21–17:19)

WNBA draft buzz: Potential for UCLA to break records with six seniors selected, historic free agency moves, and stars like Kelsey Plum taking pay cuts to help build championship rosters.
Billie Jean King Cup: U.S. eliminated after shocking loss to Belgium; King reflects on international growth and the pressure of playing for one’s country—“Pressure is a privilege.” (09:38)
USWNT: 10-match win streak, Rose Lavelle's 100th start, and a tribute to the 18th mom to play for the national team.
First woman head coach in men's Bundesliga: Marie-Louise Eta takes over Union Berlin, discussed as both a breakthrough and a case of the “glass cliff.”
Love Championship Volleyball Series: Dramatic semifinals, record viewership, and MVP honors for Jordan Thompson.
NCAA Women's Basketball records: Nearly 10 million viewers for the championship, and women’s sports projected to exceed $2.3B globally by 2026.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

On fighting spirit:
“Fight, fight, fight. Come on, AL.”
—Anna Leigh Waters (00:07, 56:47)
On pay equity and culture:
“Let's just pay everyone equally. Let's make it easier. So Annalee didn't have to spend her whole damn life fighting for equal pay.”
—Julie Foudy (28:23)
On handling nerves and comebacks:
“I've been down in a lot of matches and come back … my mental side is pretty strong.”
—Anna Leigh Waters (33:40)
On community and accessibility in pickleball:
“Racket sports are an equalizer.”
—Billie Jean King (38:54)
On shifting perceptions:
“I'm surprised there wasn’t a woman in that [pro league] conversation because the pay equity thing is … just so surprising to start.”
—Abby Wambach (53:36)
On competing with her mom:
“My mom like throws her arms up and just starts running around the court, and I'm like chasing her, trying to give her a hug.”
—Anna Leigh Waters (47:39)
On the broader mission:
“If you use this opportunity and platform to be a leader … that's my 2 cents for this.”
—Billie Jean King (63:31)
Light-hearted and relatable: “What’s the most teenage thing you do that’s not on your phone?”
“Go shopping. I really like going to the mall and getting ice cream after.”
—Julie Foudy & Anna Leigh Waters (61:31)

Memorable Moments

The “bagging” conversation: Anna Leigh explains pickleball slang for striking an opponent at the net, the culture around it, and how terms like “body bag” had to be banned for sportsmanship (40:04).
Playful banter about mental talk, with Waters, Foudy, Wambach, and King all sharing their own court-side self-talk (56:47–61:12).
Endearing family stories, like Anna Leigh’s rise to pro at 12, playfully debating who would take match point—her or Billie Jean King (60:45).
Waters’ deep respect and reciprocal fangirling with her legendary hosts, culminating in invitations to play and root for each other at San Clemente and Newport courts (62:23).

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:07 – Anna Leigh’s in-game “crazy talk”
02:21 – WNBA and women’s sports news
06:38 – Party Starter segment
28:41 – Anna Leigh Waters interview begins
34:05 – Mindset on comebacks and competitive edge
39:19 – The nerve-wracking “kitchen” of pickleball
41:18 – Pickleball Slam 4 and Battle of the Sexes
51:35 – Pay equity discussion
54:41 – Making pickleball an Olympic sport
56:01 – Party Poppers (rapid fire questions)
61:31 – Anna Leigh being a teenager
62:23 – Hosts planning to be her superfans in person
63:41 – Final reflections and advice for leading in the sport

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a joyful, motivating celebration of the new era in women’s sports. Anna Leigh Waters not only exemplifies athletic dominance at a young age, but also embodies sportsmanship, trailblazing spirit, and an understanding of legacy work—pay equity, global impact, and lifting the next generation. The hosts’ mix of playful storytelling, deep insight, and encouragement creates a real “party” atmosphere for anyone passionate about women’s sports, breaking barriers, and investing in the future.

Listen to the full episode for richly entertaining banter, inspiration, and to hear Waters’ live mental mantras that are shaping the future of pickleball and women’s sports!