Anna Leigh Waters Makes Big Announcement as Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase in Manila Wraps Up
Pickleball GOAT Anna Leigh Waters wrapped up the Manila leg of her Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase on Thursday after a flurry of activities attended by thousands of adoring and excited Filipino fans.
On Thursday, in particular, Waters graced an exclusive press luncheon at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati hosted by Filipino sportscaster Boom Gonzales and co-presented by Franklin Sports and IAM Worldwide, both of which count the Queen as their ambassadress. Unsurprisingly, the luncheon highlighted Anna Leigh Waters’ key brand engagements, including those with Franklin Sports and IAM Worldwide.
Among other things, Waters discussed representing the pioneer equipment brand globally, shared pro-level technology with local players, and provided insights on her Franklin C45° Aurelius Signature Paddle and the blacked-out “Franklin Whip/?” prototype paddle she has used in recent tournament victories.
The event concluded with a ceremonial photo opportunity and gift exchange. IAM Worldwide executives, in particular, presented Waters with a welcome bouquet, while Franklin Sports gifted the IAM leadership team the Franklin ALW Signature Paddles.
Anna Leigh Waters Feels Filipino Love
The three-day Manila visit evidently left Anna Leigh Waters feeling overwhelmed as fans showed their love to pickleball’s biggest star and greatest winner so far.
“I didn’t know what to expect here in the Philippines when I arrived three days ago,” Waters told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of the press luncheon on Thursday. “But it was definitely more. I just had the best three days of my life. I felt so much love and support from so many people I never met before. But everything was incredible—just what the sport pickleball can do…”
The world’s No. 1 female pickleball player arrived on Tuesday and went straight to the Bonifacio High Street Mall for a meet-and-greet, where she joined several activities, including learning how to pose with a bolero and an abaniko. She also picked up a few Filipino words: “salamat,” “mabuhay,” “magaling,” and “maganda.” A lucky fan was then chosen to introduce ALW to halo-halo, explaining the popular Filipino dessert to the visiting champion.
Manila Will See Anna Leigh Waters Again
Thursday proved to be special for Anna Leigh Waters’ fans after she made a big announcement at the press event—she will return to the Philippines, and she will do so before 2026 ends.
Waters announced she will return to Manila on 9 December 2026 to grace the IAM Worldwide Pickleball Showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where she will participate in a celebrity pickleball tournament that will feature some of the country’s biggest celebrities and performers.
In the meantime, Anna Leigh Waters will continue the Franklin Asia Pickleball Showcase with upcoming stops in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
