At 16 years old, Anna Leigh Waters was already the number one ranked pickleball player in the world in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles at the same time. That kind of dominance makes people curious about everything she touches on court, and the question that comes up more than any other is simple: what paddle does Anna Leigh Waters use? Her answer has stayed remarkably consistent for years, and it might surprise you, because the paddle she swings goes against what most pros choose today.
Knowing her exact gear matters for more than trivia. Thousands of recreational players buy paddles every year based on what a champion plays with, and many of them end up frustrated because the paddle fights their style instead of helping it. In this guide, you’ll learn the exact model and specs she uses, how her equipment evolved from her first junior paddle to a signature line with her name on it, why she prefers a thinner core when almost everyone else has gone thicker, how her setup compares to what Ben Johns and other top pros swing, and whether buying her paddle actually makes sense for your game.
The Paddle Anna Leigh Waters Plays With Right Now
Anna Leigh Waters plays with a Paddletek paddle, specifically her own signature model, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 — a carbon fiber-faced paddle built on Paddletek’s Bantam polymer honeycomb core with a thin 12.7mm (about half an inch) profile. The “ALW” in the name comes straight from her initials, and the “C” stands for the carbon fiber hitting surface. She has been a Paddletek athlete since the early days of her pro career, and the company built the ALW line around her specific preferences for pop, feel, and hand speed.
What makes her choice interesting is the thickness. Most professional players today gravitate toward 16mm cores because they soak up pace and offer forgiveness on soft resets. Anna Leigh went the other direction. She wants a paddle that fires the ball back with authority, especially on her signature two-handed backhand drive, and a thinner core gives her that trampoline-like snap.
Paddletek also sells a slightly thicker version, the Bantam ALW-C 14.3, for players who want her shape and feel with a bit more control and a softer touch. Both paddles carry USA Pickleball approval, which means you can use them in sanctioned tournaments without any issue. Over the years, Paddletek has released updated editions, special colorways, and thermoformed variations, so the exact model on shelves can shift. The core identity, however, stays the same: a carbon-faced, Bantam-core paddle tuned for a fast, aggressive game.
One quick note before we dig deeper. Pro paddles change. Sponsorship deals get renewed, brands launch new technology, and even loyal athletes test updated builds mid-season. If you want the newest official version, checking Paddletek’s signature collection directly is always the safest move. That said, her loyalty to the Bantam platform has been unusually steady in a sport where players jump brands constantly.
Full Specs and Technology Inside the Bantam ALW-C
Numbers tell you a lot about how a paddle plays. The ALW-C sits in a sweet spot between a standard-shape paddle and an elongated one, giving Anna Leigh reach without sacrificing the maneuverability she needs at the kitchen line. Here’s a breakdown of the key measurements, with the caveat that manufacturers adjust specs slightly between production runs.
| Specification | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 12.7 | What It Means for Your Game |
|---|---|---|
| Core thickness | 12.7mm (0.5 inch) | More pop and drive power, less built-in cushioning |
| Core material | Bantam polymer honeycomb | Durable, quiet, and consistent across the face |
| Face material | Carbon fiber | Grippy texture for spin, stable on off-center hits |
| Average weight | Roughly 7.6 to 8.1 ounces | Mid-weight; balanced between speed and stability |
| Paddle length | About 15.7 to 16 inches | Slightly extended reach compared to classic shapes |
| Paddle width | About 7.5 inches | Keeps a usable sweet spot despite the added length |
| Handle length | About 5.25 inches | Long enough for a comfortable two-handed backhand |
| Grip circumference | Around 4.25 inches | Standard size that fits most adult hands |
| Approval | USA Pickleball approved | Tournament legal |
The Bantam Core Explained
Paddletek’s Bantam core is a polymer honeycomb, which is the most common core material in modern pickleball. What sets Bantam apart is the cell size and density Paddletek uses. The company tunes the honeycomb so the paddle stays quiet and controlled but still returns energy quickly. In a 12.7mm build, that combination produces a lively, snappy response — the ball leaves the face fast, which is exactly what a counterattacking player wants.
Why Carbon Fiber Face Matters
The carbon fiber face does two jobs. First, it creates surface friction, which lets Anna Leigh brush up the back of the ball and generate heavy topspin on her drives and rolls. Second, carbon fiber is extremely stiff and light, so the face flexes very little. That stiffness keeps shots predictable, even when she catches the ball toward the edge of the paddle during a fast hands battle.
The 5.25-Inch Handle
Her handle length is no accident. Anna Leigh hits a two-handed backhand, borrowed straight from tennis, and she needs room for both hands on the grip. A 5.25-inch handle gives her that space while still leaving enough paddle face above the throat. Players who hit one-handed backhands often prefer shorter handles because they add face length, so this is one spec worth thinking hard about before you copy her setup.
How Her Paddle Choice Evolved Over Her Career
Anna Leigh didn’t start with a signature paddle. Like every player, she worked her way through gear as her game grew. Her story starts in 2017, when she and her family evacuated Florida during Hurricane Irma and picked up pickleball while staying with relatives. She was 10 years old. Two years later, at 12, she became the youngest woman ever to turn pro in the sport.
Here’s the general arc of her equipment journey, which mirrors what a lot of improving players go through:
- Borrowed and entry-level paddles. Like most beginners, she started with whatever paddle was available at the courts, focusing on learning shot mechanics rather than gear.
- Early Paddletek models. She partnered with Paddletek as a young pro and played fiberglass-faced and early composite Bantam models that emphasized power and a large sweet spot.
- Carbon fiber Bantam paddles. As spin became a bigger weapon across the pro tour, she moved to raw carbon fiber faces for grip on the ball, playing Bantam TKO-C style paddles in the 12.7mm thickness.
- The ALW-C signature line. Paddletek built a paddle around her exact preferences and released it under her initials, offering both 12.7mm and 14.3mm versions.
- Ongoing refinements. Paddletek has continued releasing updated Bantam builds, including thermoformed and foam-edged constructions, and she tests new versions as the technology evolves.
What stands out is her brand loyalty. The pro pickleball world sees constant equipment shuffling, with top players switching companies almost every season as contracts turn over. Anna Leigh has stayed in the Paddletek family through her entire rise, and reports have described her deal as one of the largest endorsement agreements in the sport’s short history. That stability means her paddle feel has barely changed while her ranking climbed to number one.
There’s a lesson in that consistency. Many amateur players swap paddles every few months chasing a magic upgrade. Anna Leigh has essentially played the same paddle platform for years, letting her hands memorize exactly how the ball comes off the face. That muscle memory is worth more than any new technology.
Why She Uses a Thin 12.7mm Core When Most Pros Go Thicker
Walk onto any pro court today and you’ll see a wall of 16mm paddles. Thicker cores dampen the ball, making drops and resets easier, and they’ve become the default for control-first players. Anna Leigh’s 12.7mm paddle is roughly 20 percent thinner than that standard, and she chose it on purpose.
Her game is built on pressure. She drives returns, she attacks anything above net height, and she wins a huge number of points through sheer hand speed in fast exchanges. A thin core compresses more on contact and springs back harder, which turns a compact flick into a putaway. When you can only take a six-inch backswing during a firefight, the paddle needs to supply the pace for you.
Here’s how the tradeoff breaks down:
- Thin core (12.7mm to 13mm): More pop, faster ball speed, easier put-away power on short swings, smaller margin for error on soft shots.
- Mid core (14mm to 14.3mm): A balanced middle ground with decent power and noticeably better touch.
- Thick core (16mm and up): Maximum control, soft resets, forgiving on drops, but requires more swing effort to generate pace.
Consider a real scenario. Anna Leigh is at the kitchen line with her mom and doubles partner, Leigh Waters. An opponent speeds up the ball at her hip. She has maybe a third of a second to react. With a thin, poppy paddle, she blocks it with a slight forward punch and the ball rockets back at the opponent’s feet. With a 16mm control paddle, that same block would land softer and might sit up for a counterattack. Her equipment matches the way she wins points.
The flip side is real too. Thin paddles punish sloppy soft games. If you struggle to land third-shot drops or reset hard drives into the kitchen, a 12.7mm paddle will amplify those errors. Anna Leigh compensates with elite hands and thousands of hours of practice. Most recreational players don’t have that safety net, which is exactly why the thicker ALW-C 14.3 exists.
Her Grip, Customization, and On-Court Setup Details
The paddle is only part of the picture. How a player finishes and holds that paddle changes how it feels dramatically, and small tweaks can shift the entire balance of a swing.
Grip Size and Overgrip
Anna Leigh plays with a standard grip circumference in the 4.25-inch range, then adds an overgrip on top for tackiness and sweat control. In humid Florida conditions, an overgrip is basically mandatory. Adding one overgrip typically increases circumference by about 1/16 of an inch, so players who buy her stock paddle and wrap it end up slightly thicker than factory spec.
A smaller grip lets you rotate the paddle faster in your hand, which helps with spin and with quick face changes during hand battles. A larger grip offers more stability and less wrist strain. Her preference leans toward the quick, wristy side, which fits her attacking style.
Does She Add Lead Tape?
Plenty of pros add lead or tungsten tape to the edges of their paddles to raise the swing weight and stabilize the face. Anna Leigh has generally played close to a stock setup, letting Paddletek match the weight to her preference during manufacturing rather than piling on aftermarket tape. That’s another reason her signature model plays so close to what she actually swings — there’s no secret customization hiding underneath.
Simple Setup Adjustments You Can Copy
- Wrap a fresh overgrip every few weeks; a slick grip causes more errors than most players realize.
- Keep the paddle face clean with a damp cloth so the carbon texture keeps gripping the ball.
- If the paddle feels too light and unstable, add a strip of lead tape at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions to widen the sweet spot.
- If you want more power, add weight near the top of the paddle head instead.
- Store the paddle out of hot cars — heat degrades polymer cores faster than normal play does.
These small habits cost almost nothing and often improve consistency more than a brand-new paddle would.
How Her Paddle Stacks Up Against Other Top Pro Paddles
Comparing gear across the pro tour helps put her setup in context. Different champions solve different problems with their equipment, and the contrasts are revealing.
| Player | Brand | Typical Core Thickness | Playing Style Emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Leigh Waters | Paddletek | 12.7mm (thin) | Fast hands, aggressive counters, two-handed backhand drives |
| Ben Johns | Joola | 14mm to 16mm range | All-court control with heavy spin and elongated reach |
| Tyson McGuffin | Selkirk | Around 14mm to 16mm | Power singles with athletic court coverage |
| Catherine Parenteau | Selkirk | Mid to thick | Precision dinking and consistency |
| Federico Staksrud | Six Zero / power brands | Thermoformed thick core | Big singles drives and serves |
Notice the pattern. Anna Leigh runs the thinnest core on that list. Most of her peers moved toward thermoformed 16mm paddles with foam-injected edges, which offer enormous plow-through power on full swings while still resetting well. She stuck with a lighter, snappier feel that rewards short, quick strokes.
There’s also a shape difference. Many pros switched to fully elongated paddles measuring 16.5 inches long and 7.5 inches wide for extra reach. Her ALW-C sits closer to a hybrid shape, keeping a slightly wider face. That widening protects the sweet spot, which matters enormously in mixed doubles when opponents target her body with fast attacks.
The takeaway isn’t that one setup beats another. It’s that gear should follow style. A patient dinker and a hands-battle assassin need different tools, even at the very top of the sport.
Should You Buy Her Paddle? Who It Fits and Who Should Skip It
Copying a champion’s paddle feels tempting, but the honest answer depends entirely on your game. Let’s break down who benefits and who should look elsewhere.
The ALW-C 12.7 Is a Good Fit If You
- Come from a tennis background and take confident, compact swings.
- Hit a two-handed backhand and want a longer handle.
- Win points by speeding the ball up and counterattacking.
- Already have a reliable soft game and want more pop without changing technique.
- Play a lot of doubles at the kitchen line where hand speed decides rallies.
Consider the Thicker 14.3 or Another Paddle If You
- Struggle to keep third-shot drops in the kitchen.
- Pop balls up too high when blocking hard drives.
- Are brand new to pickleball and still building consistency.
- Have elbow or wrist sensitivity — thicker cores absorb more shock.
- Prefer a patient, dink-heavy strategy over fast exchanges.
Picture two players at a 3.5 level. The first came from competitive tennis, drives every return, and loses points mostly because opponents outlast her at the net. The thin ALW-C would sharpen her strengths and reward her aggression. The second player rallies patiently, wins with placement, and loses points when she gets rushed. That player would spray balls long with a 12.7mm paddle and would improve faster with a 14.3mm or 16mm option.
Price is another factor. Signature carbon fiber paddles from major brands generally sit in the $170 to $230 range, and Paddletek’s ALW models fall in that neighborhood, though sales and new releases shift pricing regularly. That’s a real investment, so demoing before buying — through a retailer’s trial program or a friend’s paddle — saves both money and frustration.
Common Myths and Mistakes About Copying a Pro’s Paddle
Every week, players buy paddles for the wrong reasons. Here are the misconceptions that cause the most disappointment, along with what’s actually true.
Myth: Pros Play the Exact Retail Version
In many sports, sponsored athletes use custom-built gear painted to look like the store version. Pickleball is less extreme, and Paddletek’s signature line genuinely reflects Anna Leigh’s specs, but pros still get weight-matched paddles chosen from a batch. Retail paddles can vary by a few tenths of an ounce. If weight matters to you, buy from a retailer that lists actual paddle weights.
Myth: A Better Paddle Fixes Your Weaknesses
A paddle amplifies what you already do. It doesn’t teach you to drop, reset, or move your feet. Anna Leigh wins because of footwork, anticipation, shot selection, and thousands of reps — not because of a specific core thickness. Equipment might account for a small percentage of performance; technique accounts for the rest.
Myth: Thinner Always Means More Power
Thinner cores create more pop on short, quick contacts. On full swings, a heavier thermoformed paddle with a thick core often produces more raw ball speed because of mass and plow-through. Power isn’t one thing — there’s flick power and there’s drive power, and different builds favor different types.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying without checking handle length when you hit a two-handed backhand.
- Ignoring grip size and living with wrist pain for months.
- Switching paddles every few weeks and never building feel.
- Choosing based on the paddle’s looks or color instead of specs.
- Skipping a demo when a retailer offers a trial window.
The smartest approach is to identify the shot you lose the most points on, then pick a paddle that helps that specific shot. That’s a far better filter than picking whatever the world number one swings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anna Leigh Waters’ Equipment
What brand sponsors Anna Leigh Waters?
Paddletek. She has been with the company for years, and they produce her ALW signature paddle line. Her agreement has been widely reported as one of the biggest endorsement deals in professional pickleball.
Is her paddle legal for tournaments?
Yes. Paddletek’s ALW models carry USA Pickleball approval, so you can use them in sanctioned events, leagues, and club tournaments without any concern.
How much does her paddle cost?
Expect roughly $170 to $230 depending on the exact model, edition, and any current promotions. Signature and limited-run colorways sometimes cost more than the standard version.
What’s the difference between the 12.7 and 14.3 versions?
The 12.7mm plays livelier with more pop, favoring aggressive players. The 14.3mm adds a touch of cushioning, which improves control on drops, dinks, and resets. Everything else — face material, shape, handle length — stays essentially the same.
Does she use a two-handed backhand?
Yes, and it’s one of the most feared shots in the sport. Her tennis background shaped that stroke, and it’s the main reason her paddle uses a longer handle.
What paddle did she use before her signature model?
Earlier in her career she played other Paddletek Bantam models, including carbon-faced versions in the same thin 12.7mm profile. The ALW-C essentially formalized the setup she was already using.
Can beginners use her paddle?
They can, but the 14.3mm version usually serves beginners better. New players benefit from extra control while they build consistency, and the thicker core is more forgiving on mishits.
What’s Changing in Paddle Technology and What It Means for Her Setup
Pickleball equipment has evolved faster in the last few years than in the previous decade. Thermoforming — where manufacturers mold the paddle as a single unified piece with foam injected around the edges — changed what a paddle can do. These builds deliver more power and a bigger sweet spot at the same time, which used to be a tradeoff.
Meanwhile, governing bodies tightened testing standards after some paddles showed increasing power as they broke in. That regulatory pressure pushed brands toward more durable construction and consistent performance over the paddle’s lifespan. Paddletek has responded with updated Bantam builds and its own thermoformed designs, which means the ALW platform will likely keep evolving.
Here’s what to watch as the technology shifts:
- Gen 3 and propulsion cores: Some brands now embed foam inside the core itself for extra rebound, a design that regulators continue to evaluate.
- Edgeless and unibody frames: These maximize hitting area and reduce mishits near the top of the paddle.
- Tighter durability testing: Expect paddles that hold their performance longer rather than getting hotter with use.
- Custom weighting from the factory: More brands now offer swing weight options so buyers can match a pro’s exact balance.
- Sound and noise regulations: Community noise complaints are pushing brands to develop quieter cores without killing performance.
Even with all that innovation, Anna Leigh’s fundamental preference likely won’t swing wildly. Players who reach the top with a specific feel rarely abandon it. She may adopt a thermoformed version of her thin-core design, or a refined face material, but the DNA — fast, poppy, spin-friendly, with a long handle — should carry through whatever comes next.
For everyday players, this evolution is good news. Technology that starts in a pro’s signature paddle usually reaches mid-priced models within a year or two. The carbon fiber face that felt revolutionary a few seasons ago now appears on paddles costing under $100.
Final Thoughts on Her Paddle and Your Own Choice
So, to bring it all together: Anna Leigh Waters plays the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C, a carbon fiber-faced signature paddle built on a Bantam polymer core, most often in the thin 12.7mm thickness with a 5.25-inch handle for her two-handed backhand. That setup rewards fast hands, aggressive counterattacks, and heavy topspin drives — the exact ingredients of her game. The thicker 14.3mm version exists for players who want the same shape and feel with more control and forgiveness.
Understanding her paddle matters because it teaches a bigger lesson about equipment: the best paddle isn’t the one a champion uses, it’s the one that matches how you actually win points. Take an honest look at your game, figure out whether you need pop or control, check the handle length against your backhand, and demo before you commit. Do that, and you’ll walk onto the court with a paddle that works with you instead of against you — which is exactly what Anna Leigh did long before she became the best player in the world.
