Anna Leigh Waters’ signature paddle is the Franklin C45 Aurelius — but here’s the twist: on tour in late 2026 she’s actually been competing with an unreleased, unmarked Franklin “mystery” paddle (the blacked-out one with a white question mark on the face) that Franklin hasn’t officially named yet.
The most dominant player in women’s pickleball made the sport’s biggest 2026 move, so what paddle does Anna Leigh Waters use now? There are two answers — the one you can buy, and the one she’s actually playing.
I’m Jason Regan, a USA Pickleball Ambassador for North Central Massachusetts, tracking who plays what across the tours.
What is Anna Leigh Waters’ paddle?
In January 2026, Waters left Paddletek for Franklin in a multi-year deal reported to be worth more than $10 million — one of the largest equipment contracts the sport has seen. Her signature line, and the paddle you can actually buy, is the Franklin C45 Aurelius.
The twist: she isn’t playing her own signature paddle
Since the second half of 2026, cameras have caught Waters competing with a different paddle entirely — a blacked-out, unmarked Franklin with a single white question mark on the face. It cleared UPA-A tour approval in August 2026, but Franklin still hasn’t announced its name, its specs, or a release date. In other words, the paddle in her hand right now isn’t the Aurelius on the shelf — it’s a newer, unreleased model Franklin is keeping under wraps. We’ll break down the real specs the moment they’re official.
Why does she use it?
Waters overwhelms opponents with relentless power and blazing hands — hard drives from the baseline and fast exchanges at the kitchen, built around a two-handed backhand. Whatever Franklin has her testing is tuned for that power-first, aggressive style rather than a soft touch game.
Should you use Anna Leigh Waters’ paddle?
You can buy her signature C45 Aurelius today — it suits power players and aggressive baseliners who like to dictate with pace. The unmarked paddle she’s actually gaming isn’t for sale yet. If your game is more control- and touch-oriented, you may prefer a softer paddle; find your fit with our best paddles guide, and note that you don’t need to swap paddles as often as a pro does.
See the full pro paddle list for who else plays what.
— Jason Regan, USA Pickleball Ambassador, North Central Massachusetts. Last updated September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What paddle does Anna Leigh Waters use in 2026?
Her signature paddle is the Franklin C45 Aurelius, but on tour in late 2026 she has been playing an unreleased, unmarked Franklin paddle (the one with a question mark on the face) that has not been officially named.
What paddle did Anna Leigh Waters use before Franklin?
She played Paddletek before switching to Franklin in January 2026.
Can I buy the paddle Anna Leigh Waters is playing?
You can buy her signature Franklin C45 Aurelius now. The newer unmarked paddle she has been competing with is not released yet.
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