The 19-Year-Old Who’s Beating EVERYONE

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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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).

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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

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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.

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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!

Transcript

[Abby Wambach]

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]

Fight. Fight. Fight. Come on, Ao.

[Julie Foudy]

Fight.

[Anna Lee Waters]

That's what it sounds like. Attention.

[Abby Wambach]

The party is about to commence.

[Julie Foudy]

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

[Abby Wambach]

And I'm Abby Wambach.

[Billie Jean King]

And I'm Billie Jean King.

[Abby Wambach]

Hi, Billy.

[Julie Foudy]

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]

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

[Abby Wambach]

So.

[Julie Foudy]

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]

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]

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

[Billie Jean King]

Oh, good.

[Abby Wambach]

And every time, it doesn't go as well as I planned it to go. Played with my nephews who are, like, in their 20s. Like young high teens, low 20s. And they just kicked my ass.

[Billie Jean King]

And so don't do any planning next time.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Don't.

[Julie Foudy]

They bag you.

[Abby Wambach]

They bag. Right, Exactly.

[Julie Foudy]

But you'll understand when you hear Anneliese.

[Abby Wambach]

You'll get it when you get it.

[Julie Foudy]

Also on its own. Also sound great. Yes.

[Abby Wambach]

So, Jules, we are recording this on Monday. And the WNBA draft is happening tonight after we record. So 15 players were invited to New York City to attend the draft in person. And of that, five of them were Bruins. Were the UCLA Bruins. And if all six UCLA seniors get drafted, which is what they are saying might happen. UCLA could become the first program in WNBA history to have six players selected in a single draft. Let's go ucla.

[Julie Foudy]

I can't wait to watch all that. And it's happening in the middle as well of a free agency feeding frenzy that is going on. Sunday was officially signing day, but it's been a busy week. We've already seen. Get this. Angel Reese is heading to Atlanta from Chicago. Satu Sabali just signed with New York Liberty. Skyler Diggins is going to Chicago. Abby Williams is going to the Valkyries. Despite having offers from Las Vegas Aces and the Minnesota Links, two of the top teams. But don't you worry, Aces fans, Vegas is keeping their party rolling, locking down Asia Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jewel Lord, Jackie Lung Young and for LA Kinger, you're going to love this. I know. Because you're part owner of of this LA Sparks team. You have Neca Igu heading back to la. She signed a one year deal. And you got Kelsey Plum, who is also going back to the Los Angeles Sparks. And according to ESPN, the contract is valued at $999,000 and 900. No, wait. 9999-999. So $1 under 1 million. While Plum was eligible for a 1.4 million supermax, she chose actually to take less. And you know why?

[Abby Wambach]

It's amazing.

[Julie Foudy]

In order to give the Sparks more room to build a championship caliber roster.

[Billie Jean King]

That's what Ohtani did with the Dodgers. Exactly.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah.

[Billie Jean King]

Took less money over time.

[Julie Foudy]

I love that.

[Billie Jean King]

Great. What a leader. I love it. Kelsey. Go girl.

[Abby Wambach]

Also, Kinger, can you get Julie and I into the ownership group of the Sparks? Just asking for friends.

[Billie Jean King]

I have no idea.

[Julie Foudy]

But I'm part of every team.

[Billie Jean King]

I'll find out. I'll find out. I know nothing.

[Abby Wambach]

I want to start going to the Sparks games. I need.

[Billie Jean King]

Well, you need to be a part owner to go, you know, with our Angel City FC and all this, we have to be.

[Abby Wambach]

It's a good question, but it would make me go more, that's for sure.

[Billie Jean King]

I'll find out what the deal is.

[Julie Foudy]

And the W is just getting started. Party people will be an exciting few days and we're going to let all the drama play out, then circle back on Thursday's pod for a deep dive because obviously the draft is happening. We're also going to have UCLA superstar and national champion Lauren Betts fresh off that draft and her whirlwind media tour on the pod. But first, y', all, before we get to our party starter and the rest of all the exciting news in women's sports. I. I wanted to tell you I'm so excited because I get to finally get back out. I haven't been out since the fall to Eugene. I get to go head out and see Izzy in mid May to play a spring soccer game.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes.

[Julie Foudy]

And.

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah, that's fantastic.

[Julie Foudy]

I know. And what position does she play? She plays center, mid. And we're going to Portland as well because they're playing Angel City on Sunday. So get this. The entire family is coming. We got this amazing home on Airbnb. I just booked it. It's right near Hayward Field. You know where that is, the famous track and field venue. It's close to Izzy's dorm, Walkable to everything. That three bedrooms. So we can all stay together. We get. We give Izzy a break from her dorm room, which she loves, and we get to do it with the whole fam. Which is. Which is really cool. Very excited.

[Abby Wambach]

That is so great. Isn't it? So great? Because everyone can stay together, but you can each have your own space. This is why Airbnb is literally my favorite thing.

[Julie Foudy]

Let's get into the Party Starter. The highlights, shakeups, and headlines you'll want to celebrate this week in women's sports. The Party Starter is brought to you by Ally the Bank. That is your Ally Kinger. You know where I'm starting, and I'm sorry to do this to you to start the party this way.

[Billie Jean King]

I know where we're going.

[Julie Foudy]

I know USA eliminated from the Billie Jean King cup qualifiers. They lost to Belgium, which means they miss the 2026 finals. And the US was chasing its record 19 title, so.

[Billie Jean King]

Correct.

[Julie Foudy]

Are you okay? I'm just checking in.

[Billie Jean King]

No, I'm fine. Because one thing, I have to stay neutral now because my name's on the cup, so. And I do care about Switzerland and. And I do care about everyone, but it was pretty shocking to say the least. But you know what? The best players didn't show up, so. And Jovic the kid showed up and did her best. And I just appreciate the players who show up to represent their country, because you really are. It's something much bigger than yourself. I mean, it's huge. It's like when you guys play World Cup. It's our World Cup. That's exactly what, like the soccer. And it's huge to represent your own country. We had 148, I think, countries this year.

[Julie Foudy]

Wow.

[Billie Jean King]

So. So now we're down. This is the qualifying. This April always equals qualifying. So we had six. Six different countries were home and we had to go to the, you know, to an away match in Belgium, which helped them too. And it was on clay, which wasn't our. It's not our best.

[Julie Foudy]

I saw a bit of it. And Eva, Eva Jovic, as you mentioned, 16th in the world.

[Billie Jean King]

She's great.

[Julie Foudy]

18 years old.

[Billie Jean King]

Yes. She's very young.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. An American who is actually from Southern California as well. So I. Yeah, she fell to 129th ranked street Minen. Am I pronouncing that right?

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah, I think so. This is what happens when you play for your country. It is so much tougher. And the kids who have lower rankings, worst rankings, always. This is typical what happens.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, they, they got through. Ukraine give you the, the, the, the teams you. Yeah, yeah, Kinger, go on. You got them.

[Billie Jean King]

No, Ukraine. Ukraine beat Poland. Florida, zip. Oh, my gosh, that's big. Ukraine has a lot of great tennis players, by the way. And I don't know how they do it with the war going on. I don't. God love them. Britain. I can't believe the British. British did not have any of their best players. And they beat Australia, which Kazakhstan beat Canada. Kazakhstan's tough. And the Czech Republic beat Switzerland. That was tight. Three, two. I knew that was going to be a tight match.

[Julie Foudy]

And Spain over Slovenia.

[Abby Wambach]

Right.

[Julie Foudy]

And then host China, of course, already. And so those teams are one step closer to putting on that cute Tory Burch jacket that has also an embroidered message from BJK inside of it. Which says what?

[Billie Jean King]

I don't know. I can't remember. I wrote it.

[Julie Foudy]

Pressure is a privilege. I bet it is.

[Billie Jean King]

That's what they. I need to redo them. And put that in because I don't. Did not put it in because I was probably trying not to, but now I think I should because now it's become more popular and. And people are saying it a lot now.

[Anna Lee Waters]

They weren't all right.

[Billie Jean King]

Five years ago.

[Julie Foudy]

Final set for September 2026 in Shenzhen, China. And sadly, the United States of America will not be in it. But good luck to the other teams. Okay, topic number two. US Women's National Team, US defeats Japan 2 to 1 over the weekend. I don't know if you guys saw that.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

PayPal Pay Pal Park. Say that 10 times fast. PayPal park in San Jose, extending the U.S. win streak to 10 straight matches. We got goals from Rose Lavelle and Lindsay Heaps. It gave the US a 20 lead. And actually Rose got a goal and assist. And that was her 100th career start in her 119th cap for the United States. But then Japan's Rico Ueki, she pulled one back in the second half. Nearly equalizes during a shaky defensive stretch for the US as well. But the US Held on. Sophia Wilson returns y' all to international play for the first time in 17 months after becoming a mom. She played 67 minutes. That was awesome to see. And she became Abigail. Did you know this? The 18th mom to play on the national team. Is that crazy?

[Billie Jean King]

Wow.

[Julie Foudy]

Awesome, right?

[Abby Wambach]

I know I am.

[Julie Foudy]

I wouldn't have guessed it was that many.

[Abby Wambach]

I thought that was in single digits. I would have thought same 18, right?

[Billie Jean King]

It's becoming more popular now. It's okay to have babies and play. Isn't that great?

[Julie Foudy]

And they've showed them they can. And they're taking better care of of the moms and the babies while they're.

[Abby Wambach]

Joy Fawcett. Well done, Joy Fawcett. You started a revolution.

[Julie Foudy]

This is game one of three games between the US And Japan. So we just traveled out to Seattle. That's where I am. There's a game tonight. We're recording this on Monday. So really Tuesday night. But when this airs tonight, Tuesday, April 14th. That's at PM Pacific Time on TNT. Then we had Denver, the third game on Friday, Commerce City in Colorado. And NWSL is back in action on April 24th. And news for y', all, I don't know if you saw this. The German Bundesliga club, Union Berlin. So the men's league, German Bundesliga, Union Berlin have made history by appointing the first female to be giving the head coaching position at a men's team in one of Europe's five biggest leagues. So Marie Louise Eta, if that's how you pronounced her last name, Eta Marie Luis Eta is now Union Berlin's head coach of the men's team until the end of the season. And here's. Here's the scoop on it. So after the winter break, Union Berlin has only secured two wins in 14 matches. And they are of course worried about relegation and getting dropped to the second division. So I love this. They chose a woman to save them. Marie Louise Eta is 34 years old. She's a former pro player. She previously coached union's under 19 men's team. And she's also due to take over the Union's women's professional team starting in the summer. So this will be just to try and keep Union Berlin men from being relegated. Go.

[Abby Wambach]

Let's go.

[Julie Foudy]

Marie Louis. Marie Lewis. No, that's Louise.

[Billie Jean King]

That's big, but not Louise.

[Julie Foudy]

That's right. Yeah.

[Billie Jean King]

Okay.

[Julie Foudy]

Marie Louise Marie Yes.

[Billie Jean King]

Marie Ruiz. You guys, do you notice that the men aren't doing well and they hired her? Yeah, that happens in business. It happens in a lot of things. And they make a big deal out of it. Then if it doesn't go well, they make a big deal about firing her. Okay, so let's just see how this plays out. Yeah, in business it happens a lot. When a company's not doing well, they will hire a woman and everybody goes, oh, this is great. It's great. But then if they don't do well, they get rid of her and she's the worst. So it's very interesting. They kind of set you up, but they kind of set you up in a very difficult situation. So let's see how this goes.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Billie Jean King]

Okay. Because I want her to win now. I really wanted the moon that would be.

[Julie Foudy]

They got to stay out. They gotta stay up.

[Billie Jean King]

We need them to do well.

[Abby Wambach]

So our third topic is the Love Love championship series. So we just had the semis this last weekend and y' all talk about drama. Both of these semis go to the golden set. Now let me try to set this up for you. Austin is playing Atlanta and Houston is playing Salt Lake. Salt Lake in both of the semis. Now, both games went the distance, meaning they each took a full match, one Friday and one Saturday. Okay. So that they had to go. And they were both tied after the Friday and Saturday match. And so in a tiebreaker, what they call the golden set, each game, each, each two teams had to play one golden set. And everything is on the line. The season is on the line. Whoever wins this last set goes to the championship game this upcoming weekend.

[Julie Foudy]

First to 15 in the golden set. I saw, I saw the second semi on, on the plane. It was, oh my God, keep going, keep going.

[Abby Wambach]

I'm just like freaking out and watching this and I'm like, your whole season comes down to this thing, right? This one set. Austin won their golden set 15 to 8 to clinch a spot in the finals on Saturday. And then Salt Lake, that's the one. I Houston, in a dramatic 19 to 17 win on Sunday. And remember, Houston won that first match, right? And so the second day they were

[Julie Foudy]

the top ranked team coming in.

[Billie Jean King]

Yes.

[Abby Wambach]

I mean it was just, it was pandemonium. Austin and one of our party people, we just have to, we just have to remind everybody, Madison Skinner, she's going to be looking for the back to back love titles. We're so pumped. And little, little note, folks. Julie and I are going to be at the championship weekend In Long Beach. It is this weekend, April 16th and 18th.

[Julie Foudy]

Let's go, King.

[Abby Wambach]

You're going to be there.

[Billie Jean King]

It's in Long Beach, California. Yes, it's in Long beach, my hometown. Oh my.

[Julie Foudy]

Get home.

[Abby Wambach]

In other love news, Houston didn't advance. But guess what, Jules? Their star, Jordan Thompson won the 2026 Love Most Valuable Player presented.

[Julie Foudy]

She's so good.

[Abby Wambach]

So good. And if you want to check the show notes out for all the position awards, we'll have them up there.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, she was so good, Jordan Thompson. She almost willed them back to winning it. But it was Salt Lake City that won and got into the final. Okay, bonus topic. Women's NCAA tournament delivers record viewership. The championship game of women's basketball, South Carolina versus UCLA drew 9.9 million viewers. It peaked at 10.7. That's up 15% year over year. It became the second most watched ever. You can guess which the other one was behind only 2024 when Caitlin Clark was playing in that final. And one last great note. Deloitte accounting firm reporting that global women's sports revenues are projected to exceed 2.3 billion dollars in 2026.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Let's go.

[Julie Foudy]

I like that significant increase over the 2.4 billion in revenues generated in 2025. That is a wrap on our party starter. And thanks to Ally for sponsoring this segment. Ally is more than a bank and their do it right approach helps customers unlock their economic potential and guides their efforts as a leading sponsor in women's sports. And just like us, Ally believes that when women in sports win, we all have a reason to party. Ally Bank Member, FDIC okay, party people. Coming up, the goat of pickleball, Anna Lee Waters. Y', all, you do not want to miss this. She is adorable. I had no idea also where the pickleball name came from. I was going to ask her. We did not in the interview, but I looked it up. It was invented in 1965 by 3Dads on Bainbridge island in Washington. Did you know this? They played on a badminton court with ping pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. I don't know why it's called pickleball. Maybe because of that. Basically they couldn't find all their badminton equipment and wanted families to have something to do on vacation. There you have it. Up next, 19 year old pickleball phenom Annalee Waters. Coming up next,

[Abby Wambach]

Jules. So you know some of the best moments in sports happened outside the stadium, right? It's the group text, the people crowding around one tv, the planning of These things, the community of it all. That's why. That's why we're doing this show. That's why we love sports. Right. It's about the community. That's why events like the FIFA World Cup, Jules. Are so fun, because they turn an entire city, an entire country into a watch party. And if you live in one of those cities or you're heading out of town while it's all happening, which is a smart idea, that's actually a pretty great reason to think about Airbnb. You can host your place while you're away, and it becomes part of somebody else's whole FIFA World cup experience. You're giving them an experience. It's so beautiful. That's why I love Airbnb because it never just feels like just a place to sleep. It feels like you can actually get to live in the city for a minute. Okay. So you get to experience the local flavor, that extra personal touch. And during something as massive and exciting as the FIFA World cup, these kinds of stays are exactly what people are looking for. If you've ever thought about hosting, this summer is a great time as we welcome FIFA World cup fans from everywhere. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host okay, so, Jules, you know, I love versatile pieces for my closet that are first and foremost comfortable and functional. Okay.

[Julie Foudy]

Both very important.

[Abby Wambach]

Exactly. But also pieces that can go, I think, from, like, multiple events, right from a watch party on the field to dinner with my family. And that is honestly why I love Quince. And right now, as we know that the weather is changing, all of us are looking towards those closet refreshes. I know that sometimes I look at my closet and I'm like, I hate all of my clothes. Quince makes, I think, beautiful everyday pieces using premium materials like 100% European linen, organic cotton, and, you know, the superest, most softest denim you've ever felt. They're spring pieces, jewels. They're lightweight, they're breathable and effortless. Just like the most recent Mongolian cashmere tea that is now a go to in my closet. Have you tried it? It's good.

[Julie Foudy]

I actually haven't tried the tea. I have the Mongolian cashmere long sleeve, but I'm gonna try the tea.

[Abby Wambach]

It is a basic tea that meets sustainability sourced Mongolian cashmere that it's also softens with every single wear. It's perfect for those cooler days that we still get throughout, you know, the spring. So Quince works directly with ethical factories and cuts out the middlemen so you're paying for quality, not brand markup. Refresh your spring wardrobe with quince. Go to quinns.com welcome to the party. For free shipping and 365 day return. Now available in Canada also. So go to Q-U-I-N-C-E.com welcome to the party. For free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com welcome to the party.

[Julie Foudy]

This show is sponsored by Liquid IV Abs.

[Abby Wambach]

Yo.

[Julie Foudy]

I have a feeling that you and I do vacations very similar. We are active, we are hiking, we are moving, we are pickleballing. We're surfing. We're doing it. All right.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes. My family and Jules, my family, we like to find one of the most like unpopular hikes. So I guess uncrowded is the way. Like we don't want to be on the most popular trail.

[Julie Foudy]

Right.

[Abby Wambach]

So we go down these rabbit holes of like finding the off the beaten path.

[Julie Foudy]

Right.

[Abby Wambach]

Trails. Do. Do you guys do that or you guys popular trail?

[Julie Foudy]

No, I like, I like the path less traveled.

[Abby Wambach]

For sure. For sure. Yeah. And, and, and that because of that, you have to prepare for all circumstances. And by the way, let's just say it now, family vacation is not vacation. It's trips. There's no such thing as family vacation

[Julie Foudy]

when you have kids with you.

[Abby Wambach]

Exactly.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay.

[Abby Wambach]

When you have children, they're trips.

[Julie Foudy]

We actually did a hike that's really popular because it's, it's so good. When we were in Kauai last year, that waterfall hike, that's hard.

[Abby Wambach]

It's really hard. Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

Way up high, you pass long Hanalei Bay, you keep going, you have to take a shuttle in. And because it's so long. We know. And I've done this hike before where I didn't bring enough water and electrolytes when I was younger. And so I told the kids. So the kids and I and Ian, we just like started shoving Liquid IV packets and everything we could in the backpacks and pockets so that when we were on this hike and I and I'm like, you have to bring enough water. Because the thing about those adventures and, and long, long travels and hikes like that, they wipe you out. So that's where Liquid IV has become. Are non negotiable. I literally throw those packets in and you can tear one open while you're hiking and just dump it in your water.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Anna Lee Waters]

And.

[Abby Wambach]

And you can really feel the difference because Jules, I don't know if you know this. It's powered by their live hydro science formula, like an Optimized ratio of electrolytes, vitamins, and clinically tested nutrients that hydrate faster than water alone. And. And Jules, it's going to keep you hydrated for up to four hours. So that's not. That's not nothing when you're running and hiking some of the. And going on these long hikes like. Like you did in Kauai.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay. You know what my go to flavor is?

[Abby Wambach]

What?

[Julie Foudy]

Have you tried this one?

[Abby Wambach]

No.

[Julie Foudy]

Pina colada.

[Abby Wambach]

Pina colada. I've not tried that.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, I. It is. Is as if you were drinking a pina colada. It's clean, it's refreshing. It's not too sweet. What's your fave?

[Abby Wambach]

Good white.

[Julie Foudy]

White peach. Okay. I love peaches.

[Abby Wambach]

I'm such a peach person.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay. And if you want sugar free, that's your white peach one. You got that?

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

You got rainbow sherbet. Fun. So wherever your curiosity takes you, bring Liquid IV. Go to LiquidIV.com and get 20 off your first order with code. Welcome to the party at checkout. That's 20 off with code. Welcome to the party [e-mail]. tear poor. Live more, Hike more, party more. Okay, party people. At some point, if not from me, you've heard of Goodles. True. Or you've heard it from some other pasta lover in your life. And Abs hears me talk about it all the time because Goodles really does scratch that Mac and cheese itch. It tastes nostalgic. It's cozy and cheesy in the way you want it to be. But it also has ingredients that make me feel a lot better about reaching for it on a random Tuesday. Abs. I've. I've tried a few of the flavors now, and they're. Honestly, I've done my three flavors a weekend testing. I'm especially into cheddimac. I really want to try all of them because there are a lot of them. You know, I like shallow Good because I like all the names. But each serving has protein and fiber with prebiotics, plus vitamins and mineral minerals from real plant sources. And they're clean label purity award certified. Which means they've been tested for over 400 different contaminants and meet really high standards. That's what that means. It's time to get some Goodles for yourself. I know you'll love them as much as I do. Pick up Google's Mac and cheese and pasta on your next shopping trip. Available nationwide at Target and Walmart, plus any other major grocery stores and retailers. And now to the Partiest part of our party. Paddle up, party people. Because our next guest, she is 19 years old and already the undisputed goat of pickleball. And on Wednesday, get this, Kinger. She's taking on James Blake in singles. And then in what are some are calling the battle of the sexes, she's teaming up for a can't miss doubles showdown. Guys versus gals against Andre Agassi and James Blake. She's also currently number one in the world, not just in singles, but also doubles, mixed doubles, all of it. She turned pro at 12 years old. I don't even know how that's even done. She won 189 gold medals, holds the record with 43 triple crowns. She is 84. 0 in singles matches since January of 2025. And her overall record in 2026, y', all, 102 and 1. I need to find out who the 1 is. By the way, she recently signed a deal becoming Nike's first professional pickleballer in January. How cool is that? And all of this is amazing, but perhaps the coolest. She is the first female athlete in any professional sport to outearn the men in her field. I can't actually believe this hasn't gotten more attention. Yes. Not just match them, not close the gap. She is out earning them at 19 years old. I also 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.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Thank you.

[Billie Jean King]

I'm so glad they didn't.

[Julie Foudy]

And she's doing all of it with her mom Lee as her coach, her manager, and sometimes her doubles partner who was, and I think sometimes still is. We'll talk about this. A professional pickle ball player, Anna Lee Waters. Welcome to the party.

[Abby Wambach]

Let's go.

[Billie Jean King]

Anna Lee.

[Abby Wambach]

Welcome to this party. You are here. You are here.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Fun here. I know I need to hear that intro every morning. That was the biggest like, hype intro I've heard. Thank you.

[Julie Foudy]

We can do that for you.

[Billie Jean King]

I hope you got it all. What else did you need to add to that?

[Julie Foudy]

I know I could have kept going. I mean, 19 years old and you've done all of that, sister. Dang.

[Billie Jean King]

This is so great to have someone in racket sports on. Yay. Especially pickleball. It's the fastest growing sport sport in the United States.

[Julie Foudy]

I heard you just got back from Vietnam. Do they play in Vietnam as well?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, the stats, they're actually crazy. So 40% of people in Vietnam play pickleball, and 85% of 40% that play watch professional pickleball. So it is crazy over there.

[Billie Jean King]

Well, they are going to watch it if they're playing it, because they want to see if they can.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, my gosh. Did they? Like, you must have been like a rock star over there.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah. It's funny because in the US like, obviously pickleball is exploding, but on the pro side, a lot of people don't know that there's professional pickleball or they don't watch professional pickleball.

[Billie Jean King]

They still don't.

[Anna Lee Waters]

They do, but it's not like a tennis or soccer. You know what I mean? But in Vietnam, it's like all the pickleball pros are like really big celebrities over there. Like, you can't really walk down the street. Which is funny because it's not like that, really. In the US Like, I can go to the movies and be fine. Whereas in Vietnam, I like security with me all the time. And they're always asking me, like, what does it feel? How does it feel to be famous? And I'm like, it's very different here,

[Abby Wambach]

you know, I mean, you're 19 years old. Obviously the game is growing and you're having an impact on it. I would love to know what you envision. Like, where do you see this thing going? Like, what do you dream of for pickleball?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, honestly, I've been in the sport a long time and just the exponential growth that's happened in, I say a long time, but it's actually been a short amount of time, you know, in the grand scheme of things and how quickly the sports exploded. So if you would have asked me a couple years ago, I would have been like, oh, you know, I would like for more people around the world to play. I would like, you know, for pickleball to be a little bit more recognized, for bigger sponsors to get into it, you know, for more media being shown on pickleball. But now I feel like, because it's exploding so much, like, I don't really know what to say. Like, I feel like it's doing a great job. I would obviously love to play in the Olympics one day. That would be really cool. I do feel like in the younger generation, like, getting more kids to play. Cause right now I feel like a lot of like 20 to 80 year olds are playing, but, you know, younger than 20, I feel like we need to, you know, like, speed up that process a lot, which is kind of my passion too. Like, I love, I Don't love doing, like, adult clinics, but I love teaching kids clinics, you know, and, like, interacting with the kids. So I feel like with me, like, I would love to see just more kids playing the sport.

[Julie Foudy]

Interesting. I love that there's so many different generations that are playing. That's interesting because, like, my kids, 17 and 19, you know, started playing when they were really young and maybe that's it. Yeah, I play a little bit. I mean, we don't play a lot.

[Billie Jean King]

A lot, but I really never said that. Oh, this is new information.

[Julie Foudy]

I'm semi professional.

[Billie Jean King]

No, you are toast, girl. You are toast.

[Abby Wambach]

The only thing that makes you the professional part is that you used to play soccer.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah, exactly.

[Abby Wambach]

You're just an amateur.

[Billie Jean King]

I played tennis and soccer. Give me a break.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, my God. I have so many questions for you, though, because, like, it's. I've watched you play and I'm like, you never. Y'. All. Like, in pickleball, if you lift the ball, then you just, like. If it's too high, they just kill you. Right? So it's like you're trying to keep everything down. And you're in the kitchen. I don't know if they call it the kitchen. I heard you call it something else, but do you call it the kitchen?

[Anna Lee Waters]

I call it the kitchen. It's the non volley zone. Technical term, but we like to have fun with it. We call it the kitchen.

[Julie Foudy]

I call the kitchen because I prefer to stay out of the kitchen. But I can't even breathe when I'm, like, at the net, almost at the kitchen. Like, I literally. I'm so nervous. And then they do this, like.

[Abby Wambach]

Really?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

Oh.

[Julie Foudy]

And she never. Annalee, never ever, like, hits it too high or makes a mistake. I'm not kidding.

[Billie Jean King]

I was watching number one.

[Julie Foudy]

She never makes a mistake. It is incredible.

[Billie Jean King]

You know what I love? I love watching Annaleem is her reflexes. I love. And her footwork. She's got great footwork. I love. Her reflexes are unbelievable. Analee, what do you think is your strength? Because you're the one that lives it.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, I mean, I definitely feel like I have very fast footwork and reflexes, but I think my mental game and, like, shot selection might be what sets me apart. Like, I've been down in a lot of matches and come back in, have won, you know, So I feel like my mental side of it is pretty strong.

[Abby Wambach]

What are you doing in those moments when you're down in matches? Like, what are you mentally thinking? What are you saying to yourself? What is Your, like, oh, so I'm

[Anna Lee Waters]

like, the opposite of calm. So you think about somebody who's calm, and then there's. And we're like, just on different sides of the universe. So I really talk to myself out loud, like, all positive, though. I try to be really positive on the court, but I'm very vocal, so I'm always like, right idea. Like, come on, Annalee, fight. I'm always telling myself, fight. That's kind of like my motto. Like, fight, fight, fight. Fight for every point. You know, Like, I'm very vocal with myself, and I pull myself out of a lot of holes that way. But there's also belief behind it. You know, you've got to really believe in yourself, and you get one point, especially in pickleball runs are huge. Like, you can win points quickly if you're playing well. So I try to remember that and remember, no matter what score, like, I've been down nine, two in a game and one before, you know, so there's no score that I could be down and not have a chance to come back. And I always fight for this last tournament, I was down 10, 100 in a game and came brought it back to 10, 8, and, like, could have won, but I didn't. But, like, I'm gonna fight for it, you know?

[Julie Foudy]

I love how feisty you are on the quest.

[Abby Wambach]

Feisty is the word.

[Julie Foudy]

I'm like, oh, she's feisty. Where does that come from, that confidence, that feistiness I enjoy?

[Anna Lee Waters]

I've just always been super competitive. Like, there are stories of when I was 5 years old playing board games and just, like, being, like, super competitive, you know, with my family. So I've always been. I grew up with, like, two of my cousins were boys, and we'd always play sports. Like, I grew up just, like, loving to compete, loving to be, like, do athletic things. My mom and dad were both college athletes, so it runs as a family.

[Abby Wambach]

When you would lose at board games. Sorry.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yes, she did. She played tennis at South Carolina, and my dad played golf at South Carolina.

[Abby Wambach]

When you would lose board games. Did you cry as a child?

[Anna Lee Waters]

No, I wouldn't cry. I think my. I just get angry. I just get really mad. But I used to, like. Like, I remember this one. This is an example. We were playing a board game. I was playing with my grandfather, and there was dice, and I rolled the dice, and it was like a 2, and I was like, I rolled for you. You know, Like, I was, like, saying stuff like that as a kid, trying. Just trying to win. You know, that's amazing.

[Abby Wambach]

It's so important because, you know, and, and this is just like a generalization, but tennis is very proper.

[Julie Foudy]

Right.

[Abby Wambach]

It's like, you know, and I, I think that, I think that, like.

[Julie Foudy]

No, no, no.

[Abby Wambach]

I just think it is. I think that there's like, I think

[Billie Jean King]

it was 25, 35 years ago. It's not that way anymore.

[Abby Wambach]

It's not that way anymore.

[Billie Jean King]

Well, it's all right. It still looks that way to someone. Yeah. If you don't.

[Abby Wambach]

And like pickleball, I feel like it's this more modern, interesting, cute, fun, exciting, quicker.

[Anna Lee Waters]

It feels like it's trendy. It's like trendier. Yeah, yeah.

[Billie Jean King]

Well, it's got a tighter space. You got to go faster.

[Abby Wambach]

But I think it's so cool for, for you to be the literal, like best player in pickleball, both men and women. Isn't that great that like, that you're bringing this kind of fire to it? Because, you know, I have a 18 year old daughter.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Okay.

[Abby Wambach]

Your generation, like, nonchalance is the way of their world.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah. Like, too cool for school.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah. And, and I'm always like trying to say like, you need to stick your flag in the ground. Saying like, I care the most about this. Like that is. That's what made the national team, the U.S. soccer national team, so successful over the years. And I think that that's probably the differentiator for you is like that fire inside. Are other players like that?

[Anna Lee Waters]

In, in pickleball there are. I mean, you see just across racket sports, people handle themselves a lot differently. Like on court, different people have different strategies or that's just their personality. You know, their personality shows on court. But I do feel like in pickleball because you're much closer to your opponent than like a tennis court. You kind of like, there's a lot of like stare downs and like yelling in the person's face and like crash talk. Like, you know, a lot goes like this is even on the pro side, the pro game, like you get a lot more maybe energy, I don't know, like, because you're that close. I feel like competitiveness really shows and really comes out. As far as like training goes, the top like 10 players are really taking it seriously and really training and really committed and that's their life. But then obviously you see like some in the top 20, they're like doing it for fun and they're just like talented. You know what I mean?

[Abby Wambach]

Really?

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

What's amazing is when like a 75 year old who looks like she hasn't played a sport her entire life is crushing you on a pickleball court. And that happens to me all the time.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah.

[Billie Jean King]

Just remember what's happening.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Okay.

[Billie Jean King]

In racquet sports, the racket is an equalizer, I think. I don't know. What do you think, Annalee?

[Anna Lee Waters]

No, I agree. One of my first. My second tournament ever. I actually played with my grandfather in the US Open, and I was 11 maybe, and he was 70, so. And we were in the same division playing, so it really. It's cool.

[Abby Wambach]

That's so crazy.

[Anna Lee Waters]

That is so crazy.

[Abby Wambach]

Being at the net is for somebody who doesn't play pickleball all that much. I can't move very well. It's scary to be up near that kitchen. Because if you're playing against. I was playing against my nephews. Exactly. I was playing against my nephews. And they're hitting the ball so hard, so close, and I'm like. You know, it's like. It's like incredible, the amount of fast twitch muscles and. And. And reactions that you have.

[Anna Lee Waters]

You know what my favorite shot in pickleball is?

[Abby Wambach]

What?

[Anna Lee Waters]

When we're both at the net real close, and we're in, like, a firefight, and I bag the person across the net from me just right.

[Julie Foudy]

That's what you call it. You bag him?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, I'm gonna bag him.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, I didn't know that terminology.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Anytime you're in that situation, you should just go for blood.

[Julie Foudy]

All of that terminology is so good. What did you call it?

[Abby Wambach]

A.

[Julie Foudy]

A firestorm bag?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, yeah.

[Billie Jean King]

Oh, in the bag.

[Julie Foudy]

What?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Oh, in a firefight.

[Julie Foudy]

Firefight. Firefight. And then you bag them.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Then you bag them. Like. Like a body bag is what it means. Like body bag them.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. I love when they have, like, the little dimples on their skin.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Oh, yeah, right. You get the mark. They had to man the word pro tournaments because all the people. Somebody get hit and they go, body bag. And it was getting so bad, they literally banned the word from pickleball tournaments. So that's why we say bag now. You can't say body bag.

[Billie Jean King]

But they're all. That doesn't matter. They're all thinking it.

[Julie Foudy]

Pickleball Slam 4 is happening soon, on Wednesday. Right. So Wednesday you're playing James Blake in singles, and then you and Jenny Burchard are taking on Andre Agassi and James Blake and a gals versus guys kind of battle of the sexes. I wonder if Kinger knows anything about that. You may need to lace up for this one. Kinger I'm just saying you might have

[Abby Wambach]

a million bucks on the line. There's a million dollar purse prize.

[Julie Foudy]

What million dollar purse prize? Kinger, I want to know.

[Billie Jean King]

You have to play James in singles.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I do. Do you have any tips for me?

[Billie Jean King]

No. I don't know how he plays pickleball. I'm just trying to think. No, he was really. I think he was top four, if I remember correctly.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, he was very good.

[Billie Jean King]

I know he's been behind pickleball forever, since the beginning of pro.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, I heard his forehand's really good, but he struggles a little bit on his back end.

[Billie Jean King]

Well, there, you know. Well, there you go. I haven't seen it. If I, If I watched him for even two minutes, I'd have it.

[Julie Foudy]

I think just bag him.

[Billie Jean King]

Take no. We used to say take no prisoners. Just. Yeah, just get him.

[Abby Wambach]

Annalee, I have a question. What is, what is it like to play against somebody who was formally, formally trained in tennis and then they jump into pickleball? Like, is it. Because there's a lot. Going to be a lot of listeners that might have played tennis in their life and maybe they've never played pickleball. Is that an easy transition or hard? And now that you're going to go be playing against these guys who obviously were formerly trained playing tennis, like, what do you, how do you, how do you think that'll work out for them?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, I mean, it's hard because a lot of these tennis players played tennis in college or professionally and they played for so many years and tennis is like ingrained in them, you know, so then they step on a pickleball court and it's very similar. And tennis does give you a good, like, backbone for pickleball. Like, it helps with strokes, it helps with strategy. Like, you know what it's like to play a racket sport. You have like an advantage over somebody who didn't play tennis. But I feel like it gets to a point where if you were really good at tennis, it's almost like detriment when you come to pickleball because some things don't translate. Like, some things right. Exactly. It's very.

[Billie Jean King]

They don't translate right.

[Anna Lee Waters]

No, it's true. Like, a lot of things do, but, like, the ball doesn't come to you. There's dinking. You don't dink in tennis. You don't. There's not like a speed up shot in tennis, like where you have to take the ball from it barely bouncing off the net to like hitting it hard across the across the net, like fast hands and tennis doubles, you get some of it. But in pickleball, some of the shots are like five, six rallies long, like fast hands, reflex. So it is a little bit different. So I like to say, like, it's better to have played tennis for a couple years and then come to pickleball than to have played tennis for a really long time and then come to pickleball.

[Billie Jean King]

Well, how long did you play? A couple years. When you were 12, you said you switched.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I played four years and I.

[Billie Jean King]

Eight to 12.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Eight to 12, yeah. I felt like that was great for me because I came to pickleball and my form was great, my technique was great, you know, and it gave me a good structure to then learn the pickleball nuance shots, you know? But, yeah, I think when we play Andre and James, they're going to be really good, but they're not going to be like, playing on the professional tour against the two best male pickleball pros, you know. But they will be a lot better than, like somebody who's never played tennis steps on a pickleball court.

[Julie Foudy]

There's a million dollar purse on the line. They are practicing. It's on. It's on ESPN at 4pm Pacific, by the way, 7pm Eastern on. On that Wednesday. I am going to be watching that and cheering Maniac, I'll tell you that.

[Billie Jean King]

Okay. I'll be watching for sure then. Of course, I know all these people. I know Jenny Burchard since she was, I don't know, 8 years old or something. There's a picture of a photo of us when she was 10.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I have Jeanne Bouchard.

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah. She got to the finals in Wimbledon.

[Julie Foudy]

You had what, Anna Lee?

[Anna Lee Waters]

I had Jeannie Bouchard tennis towel when I was younger. We had the same tennis coach for a little bit.

[Billie Jean King]

Who did you have?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Diego Ayala.

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah.

[Anna Lee Waters]

And her towel is literally my house. So it was so funny when we teamed up, I was like, jeannie, this

[Abby Wambach]

is the same story Anna that I had with Mia Hamm. I had pictures of Mia Hamm cam up on my wall. And then a few years later, she was my teammate. I want to actually go back to how the heck you got into this at. How do you became a professional at 12 years old? Like, how does that even work? I don't even understand at 12.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah, it kind of happened by accident. So I was playing, like, the lower. I started at the lowest level, which is. Was 30 at the time. And kind of like every tournament I would go up 0. Point 5. So I'd go 303-540-45 until I got to, like, maybe 4 or 5. And then I realized I needed prescription glasses. Funny. Yeah, kind of. Funny story. And then that made me become a lot better. So then I went to, like, 5o, which was the level right before pro. I know. Who knew? You can see the ball now.

[Abby Wambach]

That's so funny.

[Anna Lee Waters]

And my mom was playing professional pickleball at the time, because when we were playing, this was, like, 2019 when the sport Covid hadn't happened, the sport hadn't really blown up, so not as many people were playing. And if you were, like, a really good tennis player, you could play in the pro division and do just fine. You know, you couldn't maybe be number one, but you could do good. And so she was just playing for fun, and one of her partners ended up dropping out of the pro tournament last minute. And she's like, annalee, you want to play with me? And I'm like, sure, why not? And we got silver in the tournament, and we lost to a team that was, like, the second and third best player maybe in the world at the time, and we, like, could have won. And I was 11, and my mom was like, all right, like, I think you've got potential. I think you're good enough to play with me now.

[Julie Foudy]

At 11.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah. I turned 12, kept training, and like, five months later, we beat the number one team in the world.

[Billie Jean King]

Oh, wow.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, my God.

[Billie Jean King]

Okay, that'll do.

[Abby Wambach]

Hold on a second. So not only were you professional at 11:12, but then you were. You were beating, and you were literally the best player in the world.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah. At the end of 2019, my mom and I were ranked the number one women's double team in the world. It was crazy how we actually played at the Indian Wells Tennis center at nationals under the lights. It was crazy. There were thousands of fans there at Indian Wells, and we won that tournament, and that's what made us the number one team. There's a video of my, like, we won the point, and this is, like, a big stadium for pickleball. My mom, like, throws her arms up and just starts running around the court, and I'm, like, chasing her, trying to, like, give her a hug, but it was such a crazy, like, experience for us.

[Julie Foudy]

Tried to give her a hug.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

Like, come back, Mom.

[Billie Jean King]

That's so cute.

[Abby Wambach]

Do you say mom, like, when you're playing with your mom on the court or you say mom? That is so cute.

[Julie Foudy]

She's still playing, right? She's still playing Devils.

[Anna Lee Waters]

So we played together for a while, but then unfortunately, she tore acl.

[Billie Jean King]

Oh.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh.

[Anna Lee Waters]

And then that's what kind of started the transition of her really coaching me. She was coaching me a little before, but now she's like my main coach and I'm playing with a different partner.

[Billie Jean King]

You know, I met Brandon. Doesn't. Is he part of your team?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Brandon Oakes? That's my train.

[Billie Jean King]

I met him three days ago, and he comes up and I don't know if he's still with you or not. He didn't say anything.

[Anna Lee Waters]

He is.

[Billie Jean King]

Well, anyway, he's adorable, by the way. He's a great guy now. He was. He says, oh, you know, I'm part of Annalee's team. I go, what? I said, that's fantastic.

[Anna Lee Waters]

And then he didn't know I was doing this podcast either.

[Billie Jean King]

No, I didn't know. I would have told. Or did I tell him? Did I know by then? I think I did. I did tell him. And he was like, all right, this is great. So anyway, it was so cute. Anyway, he's a great guy.

[Julie Foudy]

Annalee, quick question on how pickleball actually works, like the professional, because I don't understand all the layers to it. Can you explain to the party people a little bit?

[Billie Jean King]

Is there only one league? Is there only one pro league or more than one?

[Anna Lee Waters]

More than one.

[Billie Jean King]

So I thought, yeah, okay, I have it right then.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yes. Okay. So basically, professional pickleball, when it started in, like, or when we started playing in 2019, there were lots of different leagues. It was like, different tournaments. It was kind of a jumble. There wasn't really a tour. They were just big tournaments. And then maybe one year later, the PPA tour started. And it kind of started during COVID which was an interesting way to start a tour. And we didn't play, but we didn't play during COVID But then after Covid, we started playing on the PPA tour, and that's where the best pros play. So, like, if you see a pro player on the PPA tour, they're legit. They're very good. There are other pro tours as well out there, but the best play on the ppa. So we're just going to talk about the ppa.

[Julie Foudy]

So that stands for Pro Pickleball Association.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yes. And then there's a league that the PPA players play in called mlp, which is Major League Pickleball. And that is team format. So that would be like, that's team.

[Billie Jean King]

Okay, now I get it, because I've Been watching a little. I'm like, huh?

[Anna Lee Waters]

What's going on? Yeah, yeah. So that's the team format. So those are the two leagues that I play in and that like the best players play in. There are other leagues going on as well. And there's like a PPA Tour Asia and a PPA Tour Australia and they're all owned by the ppa, but it's a, it's like their country's version. So that's what you see.

[Abby Wambach]

That's really interesting. Yeah, kind of.

[Billie Jean King]

I think it's interesting that they have a different league for team.

[Abby Wambach]

And how does the team work? Because. And, and correct me if I'm wrong, because I feel like I remember this in Covid that there were like a lot of celebrities and, and professional athletes buying teams and that invest the MLP team.

[Anna Lee Waters]

That's mlp.

[Abby Wambach]

Okay, great.

[Anna Lee Waters]

And then there's also like I'm playing in the US Open this week, which is like kind of a one off big tournament festival party that I play

[Julie Foudy]

this week as well after.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yes. So I'm playing U.S. open with my mom actually. And then I'm playing in the Pickle Slam Battle of the Sexes event.

[Billie Jean King]

Does the US Open have prize money or not really?

[Anna Lee Waters]

They do. It's a. They have a pro tournament, but they really focus on the amateurs. Like, like it's the biggest amateur event of the year. It's like literally a festival type thing in Naples, Florida.

[Billie Jean King]

Okay.

[Abby Wambach]

The capital of the pickleball world.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yes.

[Abby Wambach]

I used to live there for five years.

[Billie Jean King]

Where's the pickle? What's the capital?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Naples.

[Billie Jean King]

Oh, that's right. We talked about that before we got on the show, actually. Yeah, Naples is beautiful.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, we need to talk about pay equity because this is, as you can imagine, this is a huge one for us because Kinger spent her whole life fighting for pay equity. We on the women's soccer team have. Yeah. Thank you, Kinger.

[Billie Jean King]

That's what Julie did. Thank you. No, that's what Julie fought for and

[Julie Foudy]

abs well because of you, Kinger, and your help. So how does it feel, I'm wondering, to be the first female athlete in any professional sport to out earn men in her field?

[Anna Lee Waters]

I mean, it feels pretty cool growing up in pickleball, like it was always equal pay. You won a tournament, you got the same as the guys did. So I was growing up in that and it was really eye opening for me to. Then when I got a little older and started learning about other sports and it wasn't the same. It was a little shocking. To me, you know, I'm a little kid. I don't really know what's going on. So I really do think it's cool that, like, this young generation of kids who have been playing pickleball are growing up knowing that they're thinking that's normal, you know, that people are getting paid the same, which is really cool. As far as, like, out paying the guys go. That's kind of more of a flex to me. Like, to me personally, hope maybe it affects people, other people, but for me, I've just really been working hard on my brand and focusing on, obviously, pickleball, but also building my brand outside of pickleball and doing a lot of stuff. So I work really hard for that on and off the court. It.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah, I bet. Because, you know, there's a finite amount of money that you can earn on the court, and then there's kind of an infinite amount of money that you potentially could earn off the court, which is so often people forget that that's a big part of being a pro athlete. I wonder, do you have any idea who created the. The professional league?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Ppa? Connor Pardo. The Pardo family started it, and then Tom Dundon invested in it and now owns majority of it. The Pardo family still owns a little

[Abby Wambach]

bit, but that's interesting. I'm surprised that there wasn't a woman in that conversation because the pay equity thing is. It's just so surprising to start.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Well, the pick started before that tour started. And I think they were just like, this is already how pickleball is. They couldn't change. Would have been a really big deal if they would have decided not to continue doing that.

[Abby Wambach]

That's awesome.

[Billie Jean King]

It was already started. The culture started that way, which is great. Oh, it's wonderful.

[Julie Foudy]

It wasn't built during this outdated pay structure. And so you had, you know, some. Some more modern thinkers in the mix. Thank goodness you didn't have to fight for all of that. Wait, I need to go back to the Olympics really quick because you mentioned that off the top and I didn't want to interrupt you, but when do you think? Because I fell for the April Fools joke going on on Instagram. Did you see that?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Oh, yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

When they were like, the Olympics has been added to LA28. I was like, I mean, sorry, pickleball has been added.

[Anna Lee Waters]

And I was like, what.

[Billie Jean King]

But how do you make. How do you. How do you. When is it add a sprint?

[Anna Lee Waters]

So there's a couple issues we're running into. There's a couple. Obviously, pickleball is expanding around the world, but there are still. We need, like, maybe seven more countries or something like that to play. But the main problem is that right now, the US Is so dominant. Like, all the best players are in the United States, and these other countries kind of need to catch up and level because the Olympics doesn't want, I guess, the US to go and just, like, win all the medals and it not be a good TV product or a good product for the Olympics. They want some competition. So we got a minute for. We just need people to get better at pickleball. So keep playing.

[Billie Jean King]

Is that why you went to Vietnam, to try to get more people to play, and then that'll help you get in the Olympics? Thanks.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I'm going to Asia three times this year just to try to great grow the sport and. Yeah, because, you know, I loved watching the women's soccer team play in the Olympics every year or every year. It was my favorite thing to watch. So I'm. I'm fangirling a little bit here. I'm trying to keep it in, but,

[Abby Wambach]

I mean, we're fangirling. Are you kidding me? This is.

[Julie Foudy]

I know you are.

[Billie Jean King]

We love it, man. Go, girl.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, party people. Time for party poppers. Annalee, rapid fire fun questions. Let's go. Who's got the first one?

[Abby Wambach]

Your question is, if you were not a professional pickleball player, what would you be?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Well, hopefully, I would be a professional soccer player, but I don't want to say that with you guys on here.

[Billie Jean King]

Why not do it?

[Julie Foudy]

Everybody know that we lost you to pickleball. How do we lose you?

[Billie Jean King]

I wanted you to say tennis. Geez, Louise

[Abby Wambach]

at 12, and she could be making pay. There was pay equity in the sport, and she could be number one. I would also jump ship from soccer and probably play pickleball. Good job. All right, second question. We've heard about the crazy talk you do on the court. I've seen very much reminds me of myself. I was a little bit. I was a little bit. Can you. Can you give us a taste of what your crazy talk sounds like on the court?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Fight.

[Julie Foudy]

Fight.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Fight. Come on, Al. Fight. That's what it sounds like.

[Abby Wambach]

And are. Are your opponents. Follow up question real quick. Are your opponents like, this person is losing it?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Maybe, but they've kind of started doing it, too. They've started saying some of my sayings on the court, and now I don't know if they're mocking me or if they're saying it because they're trying to get themselves out of the hall.

[Billie Jean King]

I think it's because you win. Oh.

[Anna Lee Waters]

One That I really like.

[Billie Jean King]

It's a magic formula. If she's saying that and she wins, maybe I should try it.

[Anna Lee Waters]

1. Just quickly. 1 other saying I really like is be you. Like, not worrying about the other person on the other side of the net. Like, just be you.

[Julie Foudy]

You say that out loud.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I say it all the time. Like, be you. Ao. Be you. Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

I'm gonna give you one. I'm gonna give you one, and I'm going to challenge you to say it on ESPN on Wednesday night.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Oh, my gosh.

[Abby Wambach]

At 4pm this was mine. Who are you?

[Julie Foudy]

Who are you?

[Anna Lee Waters]

I like it. Who are you? I like it. I like it.

[Abby Wambach]

Say that.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I'm gonna have to add it.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

To yourself. Like, talking to yourself.

[Abby Wambach]

To myself.

[Julie Foudy]

Who are you?

[Abby Wambach]

Abby?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Would everybody on the field look at you? Like, yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

People are like, what is going on? And then it'd be like, goal. That's who you are. Your goal scorer.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I love that.

[Billie Jean King]

What about you, Julie? Did you used to say anything? No, I used to. I couldn't repeat what I used to say.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah. Kinger, I'm sure you were.

[Billie Jean King]

I was terrible. I was terrible. I got in trouble all the time because in those days, you had to be very quiet.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Oh.

[Billie Jean King]

And I'm like. And I come from team sports, Emily. I don't come from tennis. Okay. I'm like, I come from basketball. I come from.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Would you say anything, or were you just.

[Billie Jean King]

Would I. Yeah.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I got in trouble all the time.

[Julie Foudy]

I'm trying to.

[Billie Jean King]

It's been so many years. See you guys. It's been a little closer. Mine are a lot of years.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah.

[Billie Jean King]

No, I used to say. And I'd probably say a swear word internally. Then externally, I would say, would you stop praying and play? And, I mean, I was. I had a whole litany of things to say, but I was always getting in trouble because of it. And this is before the microphones were next to the umpires, because everything. Everybody thinks John McEnroe was so bad. Like, you can't be serious and all that stuff. He. We were much worse. We didn't have microphones, thank God. Otherwise, we would have been. We would have been out of. Are you kidding? I would have been default. Billy, you're out.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Red card. Red card out.

[Billie Jean King]

Totally.

[Julie Foudy]

I had a bad habit of talking to others instead of talking to myself like trash. Talking to others, I'm not real proud of, but I would. In their ear, just check the scoreboard out if you have Any questions?

[Abby Wambach]

Just point to the scoreboard.

[Julie Foudy]

I'd be like, when they start going, I'd be like, just go. Go ahead and look at the scoreboard.

[Billie Jean King]

Would you talk to your teammates, though? Like my teammate. Like Rosie Casals. Finally, I could look down at someone. She was 5, 2. And I used to say, rosie, Rosie, come over here. Come over here. I am telling you, we are not losing this match.

[Julie Foudy]

My mom does that to me all the time.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Really? She used to get me real close and she'd be like, annalee, you were built for this moment. And, you know, she's like, real close.

[Billie Jean King]

I know, but I used to go crazy. No, I mean, I was insane. I think Rosie thought I needed a straight jacket or something at that. At that moment.

[Julie Foudy]

But Annalee might think that was her mom sometimes.

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah, but who's more competitive, you, you or your mom?

[Anna Lee Waters]

I don't know if anybody is more competitive than me. Maybe you guys. That's.

[Billie Jean King]

Maybe your mom isn't very competitive.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Oh, my mom's very competitive.

[Billie Jean King]

But I'm like, I figured if you were, she probably is. It's usually okay.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Well, you know, we played against each other before in tournaments.

[Abby Wambach]

Annalee, I'm going to put you on the spot right here. You and bjk Billie Jean King. Match point. Who takes it?

[Billie Jean King]

Who takes it? I want it.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah. She got it. I think that proved it right there. She got it. Not really.

[Billie Jean King]

I'm. I would. At this time in life, I'd say, annalee, it's all yours, baby.

[Abby Wambach]

Me, too. I think Annelie wins Ann right now. Are you kidding?

[Billie Jean King]

I'm not that stupid.

[Abby Wambach]

And Annelie, I just want to say you were very kind. You just paused and just let Billy answer.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Well done.

[Abby Wambach]

That was respect. That was respect.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I was like, say the right thing here.

[Abby Wambach]

Yes.

[Julie Foudy]

P, E, C, T. All right, last party. Popper, you're still a teenager. You must still do some, even though you don't seem like one. You're so mature and wise and an old soul in a greatest of ways. What is the most teenage thing you do that is not on your phone?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Oh, I was gonna say doom scroll, but I can't say that now. I like shopping. I really like going to the mall and shopping. Getting ice cream after.

[Billie Jean King]

Yes, Ice cream. Doesn't every athlete love ice cream?

[Julie Foudy]

Annalee, you are amazing. Thank you. Thank you so much for coming on. We. Let's. Let's remind viewers, check out pickleball slam4.aka Some are calling the battle of the sexes pickleball style live on ESPN Wednesday at 4pm Pacific. Oh. Final question before we do our party post. Do you play at the Lifetime in San Clemente? Yes, that's where I live. I live, like, a mile from there. Yes. I'm gonna get your information and. And Abby and I.

[Billie Jean King]

Because she's.

[Julie Foudy]

She's like, an hour north will come. We are going to be the biggest hooligans when you start playing.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Oh, my God. I play in Newport, too, which is kind of close.

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, that's perfect. That's in between. That's in between.

[Abby Wambach]

I'll bring this foam finger. Oh, I love that. I will bring this.

[Billie Jean King]

Be careful.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I want to hear you in the storm thing. Who are you?

[Abby Wambach]

Who are you? Anna.

[Julie Foudy]

Who are you?

[Billie Jean King]

That's perfect.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I need it. I'm actually in San Clemente in May.

[Julie Foudy]

Oh, seriously?

[Abby Wambach]

This May? Okay.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I'm gonna find that in the summer.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay. Yay. Oh, my gosh. We're gonna totally do that. That'll be so fun. Can you bring, like, signs and stuff? Do they allow that in the stands? Like, fat heads, all of it? We're gonna do.

[Billie Jean King]

No, no, you can see it when you watch. I like it.

[Julie Foudy]

Okay, good.

[Billie Jean King]

I like that.

[Julie Foudy]

It's gonna be fun.

[Abby Wambach]

Just go out there, Annalee, and kick their fucking asses. On behalf of 19 women everywhere, tell

[Anna Lee Waters]

them who I am.

[Julie Foudy]

Just go.

[Abby Wambach]

You tell them who you are.

[Billie Jean King]

Do you think about going forward a lot? Because that's what I always thought.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yes.

[Billie Jean King]

Forward, Forward. What do I get?

[Anna Lee Waters]

Aggressive? Yeah.

[Billie Jean King]

Give me the ball. Give me the ball. Come on. And keep trying to find a way to go forward. Right. It's great if you use this opportunity and a platform to be a leader. So that's my 2 cents worth for this.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Good advice. Thank you.

[Abby Wambach]

I'll speak on behalf of Julie and Billy and myself. We know what it's like to be a woman pro athlete for the last, you know, 50 plus years. And so if you need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are here. Even if it's very, you know, banal, like, whatever it is. Like, you.

[Billie Jean King]

You.

[Abby Wambach]

I just want you to know that we. We are here if you ever need us.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Thank you, guys. This has been, like, maybe my fav. Favorite podcast ever.

[Billie Jean King]

I hope so. That's what.

[Anna Lee Waters]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Julie Foudy]

Give us your. Give us your favorite party pose. I'm gonna give, like, a smash at the net. I'm gonna body bag someone on three. Party pose on three. 1, 2, 3.

[Abby Wambach]

Did you see the balloons go by?

[Julie Foudy]

I know.

[Anna Lee Waters]

I was like,

[Julie Foudy]

this never happened to you? Before for.

[Abby Wambach]

Isn't she incredible?

[Billie Jean King]

We didn't. She's really good. She. We got to get her back. Don't you think she's adorable. You know, it be fun to get her back after that battle of the sexes. I mean, it doesn't matter when, but after she can talk about it.

[Julie Foudy]

I like that Kinger's like, we're going to have her back right now.

[Billie Jean King]

But I just.

[Abby Wambach]

No, but she knows how to talk. Her. Her confidence. And at 19 and the way that she plays the game and then also the way that she does interviews. Like, it's just a rare thing for a kid to be so polished already

[Julie Foudy]

and so comfortable in her own number one, you guys.

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah, she wants it. She wants to be there.

[Julie Foudy]

She's adorable.

[Billie Jean King]

Yeah. A lot of kids can't handle it.

[Julie Foudy]

No, really?

[Billie Jean King]

No, they can't handle it. A lot of kids, they don't like it. Also, she's in a new sport that's getting a lot of. Everyone's all excited about it. You know, it reminds me of the 70s in tennis. Besides, just FYI, because, like, after I played Riggs, you couldn't get on a tennis court the next day. And that's when our sport exploded. And now they're going through that explosion now. And I feel like I've been there, seen that in a way, what they're going through. And she's made such a big difference because she's young. People love young. It's like when Chris Evert played at the US Open in 1971. We should get her on. Actually, she changed the sport, and so is this one. But I didn't want to bring it up because I want her to get all the attention. But Chris was the Caitlin Clark type of thing. In 71, she filled the place for the first time. Everybody was in line for her every. She was our next superstar. Which made me. I was thrilled because that's one of the things I was worried about, who's going to be the next superstar after this generation goes? And as soon as I saw her in the first round at the Open,

[Abby Wambach]

I went, but it's so cool that she's. Annaleigh is taking on kind of the responsibility, like it's a dream of hers to get pickleball into the Olympics. And I think that that is so cool that she's taking that seriously. Going to Asia, trying to, you know, increase the popularity of the game worldwide. It's just such a big deal.

[Julie Foudy]

All right, party people, don't forget to subscribe to the welcome to the party YouTube channel. Click that little bell icon so you can get updates when new episodes go live.

[Abby Wambach]

Yeah and if you just take a second we would appreciate it to rate leave a comment and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to follow us on Instagram or YouTube. And honestly wherever you get your socials at. Welcome to the Party show where Julie, Billy and I will bring the party straight to your feed. You can also email us at party people questions gmail.com shout out to Kate Diaz for our theme music. Y' all bring it in. USA on three.

[Julie Foudy]

Yeah.

[Abby Wambach]

Ready? One, two, three.

[Julie Foudy]

USA usa.

[Abby Wambach]

Welcome to the Party is an independent production brought to you by Treat Media. Treat Media makes art for humans who want to stay human Forever. Dog is our production partner and you can watch our full conversations on the welcome to the party YouTube channel and follow us at welcome to the Party show on Instagram and TikTok.