PUBLISHER ’ S PLAYBOOK
It ’ s no surprise that pickleball ’ s Anna Leigh Waters is included in Forbes magazine ’ s 2023 30 Under 30 list , which highlights sports standouts who are finding success in emerging spaces and blazing new trails in the sports world .
Anna Leigh , 15 , became the youngest professional pickleball player at the age of 12 . Last month she captured the Triple Crown at the USA Pickleball National Championships in Indian Wells , California , winning women ’ s singles , defeating Lea Jansen in straight games — 11-5 , 11-7 and 11-6 ; women ’ s doubles with Catherine Parenteau against Jessie Irvine and Anna Bright ; and mixed doubles with Riley Newman , a new partner for this tournament . Her regular partner has been Ben Johns , whom she faced across the net in the finals with Catherine Parenteau — Waters and Newman won the gold medal match 11-3 , 11-0 , 11-3 .
Pickleball GOAT Ben Johns , who took gold in men ’ s singles and men ’ s doubles with brother Collin , says , “ Anna Leigh is extraordinarily impressive . Her ascendance in the last year has been spectacular . She has little to no weaknesses . I can ’ t predict how long she ’ ll be dominant , but currently she is far ahead of the curve .”
Also recognized in this issue are the 2022 Pickleball Hall of Fame inductees Norm Davis , Pat Kane , Larry Moon and Wes Gabrielsen , as well as the Huntsman World Senior Games Hall of Fame inductees Dick Johnson , Alice Tym , and Jim and Yvonne Hackenberg .
Finally , don ’ t miss USA Pickleball CMO Chuck Menke ’ s interview with basketball legend Rick Barry on page 64 . The NBA Hall-of-Famer , considered among the best all-around players in hoops history , has taken his competitive drive to the pickleball courts , where he ’ s a three‐time USA Pickleball national champion . Congratulations to all ! See you on the courts .
Wayne Dollard Publisher
Launched in 2016 , Pickleball Magazine is recognized by USA Pickleball as the “ Official Magazine ” of pickleball . USA Pickleball is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the U . S . Pickleball Magazine offers tournament coverage , expert instruction written by professional players , rules , profiles of top pros , the latest equipment and more !
PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
ART DIRECTOR Michael Miller
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Laura Gainor
ADVERTISING MANAGER Brenden Dollard
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Steven Ablondi Doug Bates Jack Bandel Cindy Burns Rick Cipes Joe Dinoffer Bob Eckstein Kerri Furey Brandi Givens Alex Hamner Lawana Johnson Chris Koentges Jennifer Lucore Emma Masur Chuck Menke Karen Mitchell Fran Myer Ernie Ortiz Hana Papaco Javier Regalado Sonny Tannan Alice Tym Bob Unetich Drew Wathey
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Steven Taylor Bruce Yeung
Dollard Publishing Co ., Inc . publishes six issues of Pickleball Magazine per year . Subscriptions are $ 24 per year . To subscribe , call 412.914.8294 or go to
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