WOMEN’S PRO GOLD 2024 US Open Pickleball Championships

Leigh Waters returns to the big stage with her daughter, Anna Leigh Waters, to try to claim the Champions title against Simone Jardim and Allison Harris at the 2024 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships powered by Margaritaville. Amazing to see Anna Leigh and Leigh play together again as well as Simone Jardim and new partner Allison Harris.

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[Applause] there’s only one thing left to do and that’s [Music] go receiving on my right Lee Waters and Anna Lee Waters [Applause] Serv at my left Simone jarim and Alison Harris game one time in 0 02 out good start there for annal Waters sliding it down the line past Allison Harris look for both Lee and Anna Lee to really set the tempo here little bit faster pace and Chad knowing that and I’m sure Simon and Allison know that as well I mean what is their strategy to defend against that well watch for some LS coming out of the campus J J and Harris specifically over Lee Waters as that’ll try to take Anna Lee out of the middle of the Court Simone misf fires Simon and Allison the six seed and not a surprise necessarily to see them playing on Championship Saturday but certainly not as heavy favorites as it has been in years past for Simon so Chad is this one uh special for her yeah she was very excited very happy to be back here on Championship Saturday a three nothing start here for team Waters 31 the lob by Le and that was pretty much all set up by that LW by Lee Waters analy finally finishes it off and I know that uh first time first time playing together Allison and Simone September 2023 in New Jersey winning gold and then again they played January pun goor winning bronze and then just two and a half weeks ago and Del re taking another bronze so they’re having success together oh that ball just out good move there from Anna Lee you know Allison relatively new to the pro scene had her first pro medal in July of 2023 BS in and Le get handcuff to the side out and those of you who just may be joining us I will once again remind you that if you aren’t familiar with the rules of pickle ball Where Have You Been games go to 11 must win by two take two out of three games to be able to win the match and you have to have started with the serve to be able to score a point nice love there from Allison Harris and was looking to be aggressive there Harris took that on the half volley put it up over the left shoulder1 and that’s long so the deficit now down to two for jarang and harris1 second serve move to the second serve that’s a little too big of a back swing there from Sha Jen and a good spot from ANA Le going right at that shoulder out and that goes wide to the side out we see over under on how many times we see Simone hit one off the ground in this one and often times for a winner yes she was in our highlight package doing just that at the top of the show that return long so the lead grew us to 52 and I know uh Dave one of the things I heard Anna Le tell you is that she played as a 40 here in this uh us soap and um a few years ago with her grandfather so she mentioned this is a special tournament for her and a special court for her and to now be able to share it with her mom it’ll be a memory they never forget and she had it written into her contract with the PPA that she can come play the US Open anybody who’s paid attention those there’s been some politics involved and a lot of the players would love to be able to be here in fact her playing partner on the PPA Katherine Pento is here in the stands tonight Simone with a touch there and Lee can’t get it nice little touch volley there from ja Jing she hit an overhead and pinched Lee wers back at the Baseline Waters was able to get there but gets it off the end of the paddle oh that one catching the net cord skips up and hits the hand of Harris as if FAL needed more help 252 so the serf for simoney it was out just a little long out confirmed by the referee oh that was [Laughter] close I guess there’s a bug on the court Lee Waters took care of that we got a close up great job by our our our guys in the truck what a shot by Harris down the line yeah good move there from Harris and a good set up from ja Jen pulled Lee Waters middle of the court and then Harris took it down the line and Simone lets it Go will Sail Out of [Applause] Bounds so Jing and Harris still very much alive here in this first game see if they can string something together [Music] and that ball just wide yeah good attack there from both the waters allice and Harrison a little bit of trouble did a good job staying in that point and J Jing just tries to rush that drive comes in a little flat across the top of the ball 10 straight serves combined here without a point it’s a pretty aggressive drop there from analie Waters with heavy heavy Top Spin on the backand 61 Jing not even able to pick it up and nice defense the ATP for Lee and Simone was ready for it and what a smart shot Fon jaring taking the opportunity to put some nice touch going crosscourt wide angle well she’s going to try to make Lee wat’s move as much as she can both her and Lee same age I might get in trouble if I say how old that is but they’re both going to be 45 this year so now you’re officially in trouble so now I’m officially in trouble it’s okay so they’re both kind of in that no man’s land right where it’s like it’s getting hard to compete with those younger Pros but you’re not quite at the senior level yet but here they are both playing for a gold yeah and both playing well younger than the age of 45 two of the very strongest players smartest players skilled players incredible athletic ability it’s been special to watch them over the years set out so side [Applause] out back over to team Waters and both sides will go wipe off a little bit of perspiration very pleasant playing conditions right now here in Naples about another hour and a half left of daylight before the sun sets second that ball just wide coming off the paddle of Lee [Music] waters2 trying to get that drop out wide to the forehand of Harris what was the call what was the call I kind of missed it there Anie called her own ball wide and Simone thanked her for doing so thank you so that’ll be a side out good sportsmanship yeah the crowd will give an Applause for that sportsmanship so Allison Harris will take back over the serve it’s been eight straight empty serves for Harris and jarang both stuck back on that Baseline make it nine straight empty serves well Zin trying to get that defensive love up and over but just not able to get enough depth on it and strong overheads from both the waters 262 you you oh nice pick up there from Harris looked like she was in trouble on that wide ball but kept it close to the net [Music] 362 oh that one kind of sailed yeah looked like it stayed on her paddle a little long oh that’s not what I was talking about Lewers hit the return and stayed back Jain chose to go Crosscut with it and she had a whole open half of the Court just to get in front of waters that’ll take us to 73 uh too good there on the backhand roll from Adalie Simone puts one away that’s a good spot from juding Waters was anal Le was sitting a little bit heavier on the backhand side went at that right knee 732 the side out gets it back so still hanging on Anna Lee and Lee scored points on their first four serves of this match and only three points on the last 15 serves and that pretty much is the difference right now 31 nice defense there from Allison Harris getting that one into the kitchen able to step up Lee Waters tries to speed it up keeping her deep but a good counter finds the open court1 and a timeout is going to be taken here at 74 in game one of the women’s Pro doubles gold medal match back to Naples in just a moment pickle ball channel is proud to bring you all the action from Naples Florida of the MTO US Open pickle ball championships toed by Margaritaville more great content is on the way matches tips instruction inspiring stories and more so remember to subscribe like and follow on all your favorite social media platforms and at pickleball channel.com back here at East Naples Community Park Dave Ben Melissa McCurley Chad Edwards glad to have you along for the 20 24 MTO US Open pickle ball [Music] [Applause] championships jaring and Harris trying to scratch their way back after trailing 4 nothing early in this one but Lee Waters will come out of the timeout and get a stop so it moves to the second serve yeah good step back attack there from Lee Waters two puts the pressure on Harris Sails Long yeah typically you don’t see as Jing makes the same motion there typically you don’t see an attack on a high ball with a cut backand paddle face opened up and the ball just sailed well placed shot by Simone Lee wat is hesitating just a little bit to come back to the middle after pulling that backhand out wide on J Jin and that’s what I think that two-handed backhand roll right across Court in the kitchen uh helps open up Le Waters able to keep [Applause] it down and another Point yeah well inside the Baseline there and that’s part of the waters game where they’re so good at attacking and and putting pressure on and once they start they don’t slow down we see another move there from anal an Lee defends the overhead and then a finesse drop shot by Simone that’s just an incredible shot I mean it’s very difficult to get to well disguised a lot of touch on that ball and it just dies that comes from the tennis background she had a very similar volley and Tennis unlucky break there and Simone will take over the serve Simone listed her favorite pickle ball memory as the US Open finals when her daughter ran out of the court to hug her yeah that was 20 17 when she won a first triple cramp [Applause] 5 and Lee with the two-handed backhand to get the serve [Applause] Back 9 Simone again trying to play the drop Lee was ready for it and then Allison into the net and that’ll take us to game point yeah that’s where the waters are so dangerous right there the shorter ball came forward and then they just step in and start the pace so time out being taken by jaring and Terris back to Naples in just a moment pickle ball channel is proud to bring you all the action from Naples Florida of the MTO US Open pickle ball championships powered by Margaritaville more great content is on the way matches tips instruction inspiring stories and more so remember to subscribe like and follow on all your favorite social media platforms and at pickleball channel.com so Chad I know that uh you talked about perhaps Allison Harris and Simone jaring doing more lobs um we haven’t seen a lot of that in the match well I haven’t really had the opportunity just because of the pace that’s been coming from the waters and that pace gets them yet another point and that will close out game one Simon and Allison had some chances but just weren’t able to string together enough points and in the end 115 in favor of the waters all right folks we have some more and this is part of the pace that I was talking about that one a Little Help From a kick off the net cord game number two of this women’s Pro doubles final coming your way after this time out from Naples Florida pickle ball channel is proud to bring you all the action from Naples Florida of the MTO US Open pickle ball championships powered by Margaritaville more great content is on the way matches tips instruction inspiring stories and more so remember to subscribe like and follow on all your favorite social media platforms and at pickle ball Channel on forc STS part of that story in game one and an A and Lee Waters will begin game two with the serve and Chad what do you think Simon and Allison were talking about between these two games uh honestly I think they’re going to try to isolate Lee Waters just a little bit more but they have to be careful of not giving Anna Lee too much space a good roll there so I have to try to keep anal honest potentially go into the middle of a body Tire up and then can put a little bit more pressure on Lee and that’s the space that ball right there they’re trying to keep Lee back but it allows Anna Lee to be free nice step over p and finished with the big forehand one kind of crossed Allison up but does land in and I know Allison just kind of rolled her eyes there it’s like you know getting that unlucky as well right um I know that that can be quite frustrating hopefully they can just shake that off and move to the next Point that’ll help do that yes it will ball there from Jain anal Le trying to come over and poach again anticipating that ball going down the [Applause] lawn and Lee with the unforced into the [Music] net that’s two so back within 23 the only time that Harris and jaring scored on consecutive serves in that first game were their first and second points Harris standing A Little Too Tall there didn’t quite get underneath the ball 2 ball came out flatten into the top of the [Applause] net so we draw even at three a piece 3 now good read there from Lee Waters ja Jang trying the inside out mik and take that ball down the line analie oh she got too much of it yeah and that time Simone Jing was able to get it enough away from anal trying to get it back to Lee Waters that it required anal to to force that shot I think anal got a little excited there too you know you run for those balls and you pick sh the On The Run winner through the middle of the court and usually for anal Le that’s how it plays out and just like that one to put Anna Le and Lee back in front you know we mentioned Anna Lee getting her first gold in that last match and her mother Lee I’m sure would love to get her first gold by winning here with Sal longside anal only 44 years old originally born in Pennsylvania but has transplanted to Florida oh [Applause] wow and I know they got to be thinking you got to be kidding me that’s at least three points that the net has assisted with in this particular match [Applause] Simone throwing everything at the waters and able to break through a good Movement by Zing up at the kitchen line right there keeping that pressure on second now Harris will take over the [Music] serve and put into the net by Lee so back to within a point here [Music] [Applause] unable to get that was Harris and side out gets it back at 54 to Waters and Waters and that ball was coming with a lot of pace and low as Allison Harris was trying to make her way through the transition zone oh foot fa gets called and referee Joanna Corker was all over that call 52 so mve to 542 ATP well defended by Simone and then well the net Gods give it then the net Gods take it away well Zing just said If that had a going over bleep bleep bleep bleep bleep chance to draw even here and we are all square at five good hands that from Harris it was very strong attack on the Counterattack by Lee Waters and then show with a big reach in the finish and Simone just misses wide Harris and Shang have never had a lead in this match ohin going for the short cut there good move from Lee waters getting out of the way second move to Second serve Simon and Harris right in this thing man I I I’m sure this crowd would not mind seeing three games such great defense by Simone but in the end Anna Lee too [Applause] much yeah good spots that Jing tried to Counterattack that last backand but once that angles from high low and you try to Counterattack that back the ball’s going to go back up 652 now both Lee and Anna Lee missing that same SP SP with the backand down the line High part of the [Applause] net 51 that did land in the in the zone great Point going on here wow and the crowd applauding the effort felt like at the beginning of that Simone and Allison had some chances to end that and Leon Anna just kind of hung in there and finally outlasted jaring and Harris yeah was the D defense from Lee Waters that kept them in that couple of hard balls from jaah Jen and and I know it seems like 10 minutes ago but when they served the ball it hit the net and then went on into beyond the kitchen space and it’s certainly here at the US Open uh that is a good serve good spot there from analie Catching juding with the feet still moving through the transition so back over to The Waters at 6 [Music] five 651 Harris able to get it but not able to keep it in another net roller there for the waters it will Spin and power will get you a lot more net cord rollers than hitting the ball flat Le Waters former lawyer gave up her work as an attorney to turn her attention to being a pickle ball Pro and coach and right now on the potential cusper for first ever US Open gold medal that ball just missed eight right there and joring and Harris are going to use a timeout 95 here in game two two points away from a gold medal pickle ball channel is proud to bring you all the action from Naples Florida of the MTO US Open pickle ball championships powered by Margaritaville more great content is on the way matches tips instruction inspiring stories and more so remember to subscribe like and follow on all your favorite social media platforms and at pickleball channel.com Simone Jaren 13 times a gold medalist in this tournament tied for the alltime most with Chen Dawson and some work to do if she’s going to take over soulle possession of first place as anal Waters and her mother Lee are just two points away now good spot there from Lee Waters there’s a medium pce speed up right there that just got out of the reach of Ja Jen wasn’t able to bring it back forward Championship point for the motherdaughter count combo and that’s how it will wrap up the waters run deep here in Naples Florida as they take gold in the women’s Pro [Music] doubles pretty impressive and you know this means a lot to both of them oh yeah there’s nothing more special I mean I’m close to my mother I can only imagine uh what it feels like for them to take the US Open pickleball Championship a championship that they have not owned now they have that to add to their resume and impressive pickle ball careers uh Chad what a special moment for all of us oh absolutely and you know there are a lot of people here this week to watch Anna Lee play and it was a good comeback for Lee as well only played one tournament since that well actually two tournaments since that knee injury so big win here for them 115 115 we will hear from the silver and gold medalists coming up after this quick timeout pickle ball channel is proud to bring you all the action from Naples Florida of the MTO US Open pickle ball championships houred by Margaritaville more great content is on on the way matches tips instruction inspiring stories and more so remember to subscribe like and follow on all your favorite social media platforms and at pickleball [Music] channel.com with a legend on your side and a growing Legend on the other side what was that experience like for you oh it’s amazing just every time I get to step on the court with her it’s such a treat she’s such a mentor and friend of me which is amazing and and Simon uh I’m not used to interviewing you when you’re not winning the gold You’ve Won 13 gos here at the US Open but I I know that this is special for you just to play on Championship Saturday absolutely I mean I am not uh getting any younger I’m just getting older uh but uh no it’s it’s a privilege and honestly like these people uh Terry and Chris here uh pretty much um we moved here a lot because of them and what this became uh this became our home and uh I know Chad already announced it and we’ll be moving to Nashville uh but Naples will always be our home uh we’ll come back we’ll visit uh but you know we got to go country and I know you like the country music so that works out well I do want to ask you about Anna Lee you’ve been watching her uh she played in this tournament as a teenager still a teenager by the way um and really has just kind of taken over um what are your thoughts on seeing her growth and seeing her become the world’s number one one ranked player I mean this guy is the limit for this kid she’s only going to get better uh more experienced uh you know age again it does play a number it does a play a role uh but you know if I hope that uh mom continues to guide her through this because I know it’s not easy we talk about this uh because everybody when you’re at the top everybody wants you to lose so I know how it feels and you just keep going keep your head up sky is the limit all right great stuff let’s hear it for our silver medalist here let’s bring in the silver medals to present to Simone jaring and Allison Harris Chris Evon is coming in with the medals and Terry Graham off camera is holding the prize checks as well and Chris and Terry have done a just a fantastic job growing this tournament into what it is today so mon Xing and Allison Harris pretty impressive run here on Championship Saturday all right and that we will let them come back for pictures in a moment but let’s get the mother daughter combo of Anna Lee and Lee Waters in here and uh lee I’ll start with you because uh your daughter already won one tonight um and this is your first gold how big of a deal is this for you to be a gold medalist in this tournament yeah uh the US Open was the one trophy we never had so it’s really sweet to get it today and um it’s just an emotional day for me because I’ve been out with an ACL injury didn’t know if I was ever going to get to to play with Anna Le again so I thank her usual partner Katherine prto for letting me borrow her for this tournament it was truly a blast and an honor to play with anal Lee and Anna Lee you said the last one was special I’m guessing this one was even more special yeah I was sorry jay dub no I’m just kidding I had a blast with him today but winning with my mom is just something like we said we didn’t know if we’d ever get to do we never know knew if we were going to win this tournament so just being here on this court getting to you know feel what this feels like especially after all we’ve been through as a family together I mean she’s coached me and been through a lot with me the past year and a half and she’s guided me like s said um to make me to be the person I am today so thank you Mom I don’t think you get enough credit ever you’re an amazing player you’re so good so Props to my mom Le I want to ask you at at what point did you realize that your daughter had a chance to be really special in this sport I don’t know she um she’s always been very talented athletically and she played a lot of sports and it’s only been the last couple years that she’s focused purely on pickle ball um but I think early on we saw that she had talent and you know I just let her do her thing she chose pickle ball and uh she’s worked really hard to be where she is and analie last one for you um really as you reflect back on this tournament in the history of it you you started here you mentioned earlier as a teenager when you took the court for the first time ever here could you’ve imagined it would grow into this um honestly no I was so nervous the first time I played in this court I was serving on the wrong side so it’s okay um I just want to say I didn’t even know what a Triple Crown was until I came to this event and Simone was winning Triple Crowns back to back to back so I really looked up to her as a kid and what she was doing and one day I wanted to be just like her and Ben John’s and here I am today um you know winning Triple Crowns so thank you Simone for all the guidance and advice You’ given me I appreciate it all right great stuff as the the you know appreciation goes both ways let’s welcome in Terry Graham with the gold medals for Anna Waters and Lee Waters and of course the all important prize checks and the Sketchers Footwear the official Footwear of the MTO US Open pickle ball championships one more time let’s hear it for your women’s doubles Champions team Waters [Applause] [Music]