The pickleball community has been rocked by a series of events involving top-ranked players Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, once celebrated as the sport’s premier power couple. Their recent public fallout has raised questions about the integrity of their partnership, both on and off the court.
The controversy began during the PPA Desert Ridge Open in February 2025, where Waters and Johns faced off against Anna Bright and James Ignatowich in the mixed doubles quarterfinals. Despite their dominant 16-match winning streak, the duo suffered a surprising defeat, losing 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9. This marked their first mixed doubles loss since February 2024 .([zeropickleball.com][1])
Following the match, Waters expressed frustration over the outcome, hinting at potential misconduct by Johns. In a post-match interview, she stated, “It’s time to bring transparency to our sport. I’ve seen things on the court that just don’t add up,” fueling speculation about internal tensions and ethical concerns .([ussportupdate][2])
### Accusations and Fallout
Waters’ comments led to widespread rumors and an official investigation by the governing body of pickleball. As a precautionary measure, Johns was temporarily suspended from sanctioned events while the allegations were reviewed .([ussportupdate][2])
The pickleball community reacted with a mix of support and skepticism. Fans rallied behind Waters, with hashtags like #FreeAnnaLeigh trending on social media, while others defended Johns, emphasizing the need for due process.([ussportupdate][2])
### Personal and Professional Strains
Compounding the professional challenges, personal tensions surfaced when Anna Leigh Waters and her longtime doubles partner, Catherine Parenteau, announced their split after a loss at the PPA North Carolina Open. The duo had secured 31 PPA titles together, boasting a 96% win rate over 155 matches. Parenteau’s decision to part ways with Waters left the latter without a partner in women’s doubles, further complicating her situation .([The Conway Bulletin][3], [newsletter.thedinkpickleball.com][4])
In a surprising twist, Ben Johns proposed to Anna Leigh Waters shortly before the tournament incident, celebrating their relationship both on and off the court. The engagement was met with enthusiasm from fans, who viewed it as a testament to their strong bond .([ussportupdate][5])
### Looking Ahead
As the investigation into the allegations continues, the future of Waters and Johns’ partnership remains uncertain. The pickleball community watches closely, hoping for clarity and resolution in what has become one of the sport’s most talked-about controversies.([ussportupdate][2], [ussportupdate][6])
In the meantime, both players are focusing on their individual careers. Waters is actively seeking a new doubles partner, while Johns is preparing for upcoming tournaments, aiming to restore his reputation and return to competitive play
The outcome of this situation could have lasting implications for the sport of pickleball, influencing not only the careers of its top players but also the integrity and future of the game itself.
[1]: https://zeropickleball.com/2025/02/26/3302-taxngj/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns: Their Latest Loss in a Pickleball Showdown – Pickleball News & Videos”
[2]: https://ussportupdate.com/2025/03/10/anna-leigh-waters-shocks-pickleball-world-accuses-ben-johns-of-cheating-leading-to-his-shocking-ban-amidst-controversial-rumors/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Anna Leigh Waters Shocks Pickleball World: Accuses Ben Johns of Cheating, Leading to His Shocking Ban Amidst Controversial Rumors!\””
[3]: https://theconwaybulletin.com/news/160738/is-anna-leigh-waters-reign-in-pickleball-under-threat-surprising-upsets-signal-new-era/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Is Anna Leigh Waters’ Reign in Pickleball Under Threat? Surprising Upsets Signal New Era”
[4]: https://newsletter.thedinkpickleball.com/p/anna-leigh-waters-is-a-free-agent?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Anna Leigh Waters is a free agent”
[5]: https://ussportupdate.com/2025/03/09/pickleball-star-ben-johns-proposes-to-rising-star-anna-leigh-waters-celebrating-love-and-partnership-both-on-and-off-the-court/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Pickleball Star Ben Johns Proposes to Rising Star Anna Leigh Waters, Celebrating Love and Partnership Both On and Off the Court!”
[6]: https://ussportupdate.com/2025/03/05/sad-news-tears-flow-over-the-pickleball-world-after-fans-saw-anna-leigh-waters-the-top-player-banned-to-the/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Sad news: Tears flow over the pickleball world after fans saw Anna Leigh Waters the top player banned to the…”