16-Year-Old phenom Anna Leigh Waters earns record 20th Triple Crown and defends all three Nationals titles in front of sold-out Championship Court
DALLAS (November 12, 2023) – The Champions of the 2023 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships powered by Invited and the PPA Tour were crowned in front of a sold-out and electric crowd on Championship Court at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch, Texas on Sunday. Sixteen-year-old phenom Anna Leigh Waters captured her record 20th Triple Crown (winning singles, doubles and mixed doubles) and defended all three Nationals titles, saving four match points in a dramatic singles final to cap off the largest event in pickleball history. Championship Sunday was broadcast on ESPN and PickleballTV, the new 24/7 dedicated pickleball channel that launched this week.
Roughly 10,000 people were welcomed to Pickleball Boulevard at the National Championships on Championship Sunday, enjoying the world’s best pickleball, live entertainment, top-notch food and drink and unparalleled partnership activations from top brands. Results from the day are as follows:
Men’s Singles: (4) JW Johnson def. (7) Jaume Martinez Vich (6-11, 11-7, 11-5)
After dropping the opening game, Johnson eventually earned a hard-fought triumph over good friend and breakout player Martinez Vich. Some uncharacteristic missed returns from Johnson allowed the Spaniard to move ahead and eventually take the first game, but the 21-year-old knew that if he stuck to his game plan and played to his strengths, he would ultimately find success.
“I kept on going for my drives for the most part and mixing up the shots a little bit with a couple more drops and tried to get into the kitchen more,” he explained. “It’s really fun and the crowd was into it the whole time.”
Women’s Doubles: (1) Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau def. (6) Maggie Brascia/Mary Brascia (11-7, 11-0, 11-4)
Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau hadn’t lost a doubles match together going into Sunday’s women’s final at Nationals. And they still haven’t. The pair were flawless again when the stakes were at their highest, earning an emphatic victory over sixth-seeded sisters Mary and Maggie Brascia. It marked the duo’s ninth gold medal so far this season.
“A lot of the time, I’ll just move the ball around until she puts it away,” Parenteau revealed. “Or sometimes, I’ll start speeding it up first and then she can clean it up.”
Men’s Doubles: (1) Ben Johns/Collin Johns def. (2) Dylan Frazier/JW Johnson (11-6, 12-10, 11-7)
Ben and Collin Johns bested JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier on Sunday for their 26th career title together and second consecutive national championship. The brothers embraced on Championship Court as Johnson’s final ball fell into the net to officially seal the victory. It’s a title that required more than drops, dinks, and drives, however. It also required resilience.
“It’s been an adverse week, mentally recovering, resetting, and having the confidence to come back after adverse events,” said Ben.
Mixed Doubles: (1) Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns def. (2) Anna Bright/James Ignatowich (11-6, 11-5, 11-3)
World No. 1s Johns and Waters came away with their 14th mixed doubles gold medal of the year, besting No. 2 seeds James Ignatowich and Anna Bright in three games. Johns and Waters faced an 0-4 deficit in the first game, but soon found their rhythm and cruised to victory behind their precise, well-timed attacks from the kitchen. Johns was especially complimentary of the 16-year-old, who surpassed him today for most triple crowns in history.
“She’s incredible,” said Johns of Waters. “Just a phenomenal player, person, and certainly teammate.”
Women’s Singles: (1) Anna Leigh Waters def. (2) Catherine Parenteau (11-6, 7-11, 12-10)
World No.1 Waters capped off her Championship Sunday with what will probably go down as the match of the tournament, emerging with the women’s singles title after a thrilling victory over Parenteau. Waters got down early in the third game and saved four championship points with her unmatched ball-striking ability. Mentally, though, it was all about self-belief.
“I know Catherine is a great player, but I also know that I can come back when I’m down,” shared Waters. “I was just remembering that and all the times I had come back before.”
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
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Jeff Watson, VP of Comms, PPA Tour, j.watson@ppatour.com
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Melissa Zhang, Director of Comms & Content, USA Pickleball mzhang@usapickleball.org
