In what was meant to be a heartfelt gesture, rising pickleball star Anna Leigh Waters’ extravagant birthday surprise for fellow athlete and rumored partner Ben Johns has taken a bitter turn—ultimately leading to public fallout and the end of their once-admired relationship.
According to sources close to the pair, Waters had gone to extraordinary lengths to plan the perfect birthday gift for Johns, hoping to blend personal sentiment with luxury. The 17-year-old phenom, known not just for her dominance on the court but also for her charismatic personality, reportedly gifted Johns a custom-designed sports-themed luxury watch engraved with a personal message—one that celebrated their shared achievements and hinted at a deeper emotional bond. The gift, said to be valued at well over \$25,000, also came with a surprise trip to a private training facility in Napa Valley, intended as both a getaway and an opportunity for the duo to train and bond ahead of the summer circuit.
However, the gesture reportedly failed to land as intended. Insiders claim that Johns, often perceived as stoic and hyper-focused on performance, appeared “lukewarm and dismissive” upon receiving the gift. Instead of expressing gratitude or recognizing the depth of Waters’ thoughtfulness, he allegedly brushed off the gesture as “too much” and made several comments about “needing to stay focused” rather than indulge in distractions.
The exchange quickly escalated behind closed doors, with Waters feeling deeply hurt by what she saw as a lack of appreciation and emotional immaturity. “She put her heart into it,” a source close to Waters revealed. “It wasn’t just a watch or a trip—it was about their connection, their shared journey. To have it waved off was crushing.”
What followed was a flurry of social media activity that only added fuel to the fire. Waters, who had previously shared supportive and affectionate posts about Johns, abruptly deleted several photos and unfollowed him on Instagram. Johns, for his part, remained silent, but fans were quick to notice the sudden absence of interaction between the two.
By the end of the week, rumors of a breakup were confirmed. Waters’ representatives released a brief statement citing “personal differences and a misalignment of values,” while Johns continued to refrain from public comment, focusing instead on training sessions in Florida.
Fans of the sport, who had long admired the pair’s chemistry both on and off the court, expressed dismay at the turn of events. “It’s sad to see,” one fan commented on a viral Reddit thread. “They were electric together, but maybe this shows how different they really were behind the scenes.”
Analysts suggest the incident may have broader implications for their professional dynamic as well. While the pair have not confirmed whether they will continue competing together in mixed doubles events, insiders suggest that a split is likely. “When a personal relationship unravels like this, especially in such a public and emotional way, it becomes very difficult to sustain a high-performance partnership,” said one pickleball commentator.
As for Waters, she appears to be channeling her disappointment into her game. Just days after the incident, she posted a cryptic Instagram story: a slow-motion video of her smashing a serve with the caption, “Some lessons come hard. But they come.” The message, while not directly addressing the situation, left little doubt as to its inspiration.
In the world of professional sports, where emotions and ego often collide, even the best intentions can backfire. For Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, a birthday meant to strengthen bonds instead drew them apart—reminding fans and fellow athletes alike that sometimes, love off the court is harder to score than points on it.